The Incoming Government Brief Prepared For The New Attorney-General In Respect Of Foi, Whistleblower Protection And/or The National Anti-Corruption Commission Reform And Any Departmental Analysis Or…

Written by Claude Haiku 4.5 from the extracted text on 1 Mar 2026. It can miss or misread redacted and scanned pages. Check the source before relying on it.

This incoming government brief outlines the proposed Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025, which would establish an independent Whistleblower Protection Commissioner as a parliamentary officer, supported by two Deputy Commissioners and a Chief Executive Officer. The Authority would operate as a stand-alone Commonwealth agency under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act, with oversight from a Parliamentary Joint Committee and an Advisory Council. The WPA's jurisdiction spans Commonwealth public, private and not-for-profit sectors regarding wrongdoing disclosures under multiple acts including the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013, Corporations Act 2001, National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022, and sector-specific legislation covering aged care, disability insurance, fair work and taxation. Key functions include providing guidance on disclosure rights and obligations, receiving and referring wrongdoing disclosures, and monitoring whistleblower protection compliance. The document defines "whistleblower protection issues" as reprisal or victimisation following disclosure or failures to fulfil protection responsibilities.