Anyone can make a public interest disclosure.

There are protections provided for people making appropriate public interest disclosures, subject to some conditions.

Changes to whistleblowing laws in 2019

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 (PID Act) commenced on July 1, 2019, replacing the Whistleblowers Protection Act 1993 (WP Act).

The new laws strengthen transparency and accountability in government by establishing a scheme that encourages and facilitates the appropriate disclosure of public interest information to certain people or authorities. It provides protections for some people who make an appropriate disclosure of public interest information in accordance with the PID Act and sets out processes for dealing with such disclosures.

What is public interest information?

There are two types of public interest information:

  • Environmental and health information – where there is a substantial risk to the environment or to public health and safety.
  • Public administration information – where there is potential corruption, misconduct or maladministration in public administration.

Protections are provided for public officers who make an appropriate disclosure of public administration information and for all people who make an appropriate disclosure of environmental and health information, subject to some conditions outlined in the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018.

Making a public interest disclosure

If you wish to make a public interest disclosure that relates to the Department of Treasury and Finance or any of its employees, there are a number of ways you can do this:

  1. You can contact the Office for Public Integrity (OPI) and speak to them.

    The OPI is a relevant authority to receive disclosures of public administration information or environmental and health information regarding DTF, DTF public officers and DTF public sector employees.

  2. You can contact the DTF responsible officer.

    The DTF responsible officer can provide you with advice and assistance. The DTF responsible officer is a relevant authority to receive disclosures of public administration information or environmental and health information regarding DTF and DTF public sector employees.

    Email: DTF_PID@sa.gov.au, or

    Telephone: 08 8226 8129 or

    Post: Public Interest Disclosure, Department of Treasury & Finance

    GPO Box 1045

    Adelaide SA 5001

    *Mark the envelope private and confidential

  3. You can contact the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment.

The Commissioner for Public Sector Employment is a relevant authority to receive disclosures of public administration information or environmental and health information regarding DTF and DTF public sector employees.

More information

For more information, visit the Office for Public Integrity Website.