Public Interest Disclosure Procedure

A public interest disclosure (PID) enables any person, as well as public officers, to make protected disclosures under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (PID Act).

The Industrial Registry for the Industrial Court of Queensland and the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission is committed to fostering an ethical, transparent culture. In pursuit of this, the Industrial Registry values the disclosure of information about suspected wrongdoing in the public sector so that it can be properly assessed and, if necessary, appropriately investigated.

The Public Interest Disclosure Policy and Procedures of the Industrial Registry demonstrate the commitment of the Industrial Registry to support an employee, or others, who make disclosures about matters in the public interest and ensures that practical and effective procedures are implemented.

These documents are to be read in conjunction with the Office of Industrial Relations Public Interest Disclosure Procedure, relevant pieces of legislation, and the Queensland Ombudsman's Public Interest Disclosure Standards.

The Ethical Standards Unit (ESU) of the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) has been delegated the authority to deal with PIDs on behalf of the Industrial Registrar for the Industrial Registry.

Please note: Any PIDs concerning a Member of the Industrial Court of Queensland or Queensland Industrial Relations Commission must be made to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland. Any PIDs concerning an Associate to a Member of the Court or the Commission should be made to the President of the Court and Commission.

What is a Public Interest Disclosure?

Under the PID Act, any person can make a disclosure about a:

  • substantial and specific danger to the health or safety of a person with a disability;
  • the commission of an offence, or contravention of a condition imposed under a provision of legislation mentioned in Schedule 2 of the PID Act, if the offence or contravention would be a substantial and specific danger to the environment; or
  • reprisal because of a belief that a person has made, or intends to make, a disclosure.

In addition to the above, public sector officers can make a disclosure about the following public interest matters:

  • corrupt conduct;
  • maladministration that adversely affects a person's interests in a substantial and specific way;
  • a substantial misuse of public resources;
  • a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or
  • substantial and specific danger to the environment.

A disclosure can have either a 'reasonable belief' that wrongdoing has occurred or provide evidence which tends to show the wrongdoing has occurred.

Please note: PIDs cannot be made in relation to decisions released on a particular matter by the Industrial Court of Queensland, The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission or the Industrial Registrar. If you are dissatisfied with a decision released on your matter by a Member or the Industrial Registrar, there are Appeal avenues available to you.

How to make a PID

A discloser can make a PID in any way, including anonymously, either verbally or in writing. However, if a disclosure is being made to a proper authority, and if that proper authority has a reasonable procedure, the disclosers should use that procedure to ensure it is assessed and appropriately dealt with. To assist in the assessment, and any subsequent investigation of a PID, disclosers are requested to:

  • provide contact details (This could be an email address that is created for the purpose of making the disclosure or a telephone number);
  • provide as much information as possible about the suspected wrongdoing, including;
    • who was involved;
    • what happened;
    • when it happened;
    • whether there were any witnesses, and if so, who they are;
    • any evidence that supports the PID, and where the evidence is located;
    • any further information that could help investigate the PID; and
  • provide this information in writing.

It is an offence under the PID Act to intentionally give false or misleading information intending it be acted on as a PID. Employees may be subject to disciplinary action for intentionally giving false or misleading information in a PID, or during an investigation into a PID.

For more information regarding the process of a PID, please refer to the procedure.

Support and protection

The Industrial Registrar and the ESU will take all concerns seriously and ensure privacy and confidentiality throughout the process.

The principles of natural justice and procedural fairness apply to all PID investigations, including providing support to all affected parties.

Disclosers should not suffer any form of detriment as a result of making a PID. The Industrial Registrar and the ESU are committed to protecting disclosers from reprisal. Upon receiving a PID, a risk assessment is conducted to assess the likelihood of the discloser (or witnesses or affected third parties) suffering reprisal action because of having made the disclosure. Public officers can be confident of protection against reprisal and bullying and can contact the Employee Assistance Program for advice and counselling. Support is also provided to those who are subject of a PID.

Need more information?

To lodge a PID in relation to the Industrial Registry, or for further information regarding PIDs contact information is as follows:

By phone: (07) 3406 9811
By email: oir.ethicalstandards@oir.qld.gov.au
By post: Director (Ethical Standards)
Office of Industrial Relations
GPO Box 69
BRISBANE QLD 4001

The oversight agency for PIDs in relation to the Industrial Registry is the Queensland Ombudsman and further information and explanation with regards to the processes and procedures may be found on their website also.

You may also find the following documents of assistance:

Related Policies and Procedures

Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service

Queensland Industrial Registry - Public Interest Disclosure Policy 2021

Queensland Industrial Registry - Public Interest Disclosure Procedure 2021

Office of Industrial Relations Public Interest Disclosure Procedure

Supporting Information

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