The State Government has announced the Level 1 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package.
Intro
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) does not tolerate corrupt or other improper conduct and is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 (PID Act). The PID Act recognises the value and importance of reporting as a means to identify and address wrongdoing. This policy aims to ensure that Department employees are aware of their obligations under the PID Act, and strongly supports disclosures being made by employees about corrupt or other improper conduct. It also strongly supports contractors and members of the community making disclosures about corrupt and improper conduct.
This policy applies to all DLGSC staff, and those involved in the public interest disclosure process, including the Director General, Public Interest Disclosure Officers (PID Officers), any person making a public interest disclosure, and any subject(s) of a disclosure.
who make disclosures.
The department's obligations under the PID Act include:
Designating PID Officers for the department with responsibility for receiving public interest disclosures;
Providing protection from detrimental action or the threat of detrimental action for any DLGSC employee who makes an appropriate disclosure of public interest information;
Complying with the PID Act and the code of conduct and integrity established by the Public Sector Commissioner;
General information about public interest disclosures and how the department will manage a disclosure is available for external clients and members of the community on the department's website.
This policy focuses on public interest disclosures, however the department is committed to dealing with all reports of suspected wrongdoing and encourages people to report any such behaviour. The department will consider each matter under the appropriate reporting procedure and will make every attempt to protect staff members making reports from reprisal.
Director General is accountable for ensuring that the department complies with the PID Act, PID Officers Code of Conduct and Integrity, and the Public Interest Disclosure Procedures. They have prescribed duties under the PID Act as the Principal Executive Officer (PEO) of the department.
Executive Directors, Director and Managers are responsible for ensuring that their respective business areas comply with the department's obligations under the PID Act. If they are aware someone is considering making a public interest disclosure, they must encourage that person to speak to a PID Officer.
PID officer is a designated person appointed as the proper authority for receiving disclosures of public interest information relating to the department's sphere of responsibility, and must carry out their PID Officer duties in accordance with (but not limited to) the PID Act, PID Officers Code of Conduct and Integrity, and the Public Interest Disclosure Procedures.
Department employees are not to take any detrimental action against anyone who makes or proposes to make a PID. The behaviour of all employees involved in the public interest disclosure process must accord with the PID Act, Public Interest Disclosure procedures and the department's Code of Conduct at all times.
Public Sector Commissioner establishes a code setting out minimum standards of conduct and integrity (PID Officers Code of Conduct and Integrity), prepares guidelines to help proper authorities to apply the PID Act, monitors compliance and assists public authorities and public officers to comply with the PID Act and the Code, and reports to Parliament on compliance or noncompliance with the PID Act and the Code.
Breach of policy of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Department's Code of Conduct and may also commit an offence under the PID Act.
During an investigation a PID Officer may make comprehensive and contemporaneous records of any discussions and interviews. These records along with any other documentation or files relating to the disclosure, whether paper or electronic, will be stored securely and only accessed by authorised persons.