About Public Interest Disclosure
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 allows people to report important information to authorities without worrying about facing negative consequences or mistreatment.
You can make public interest disclosures (PID) about improper conduct in public authorities that include state government agencies and departments, local governments (including the City of Joondalup), and bodies established under a written law for a public purpose, such as a public university.
Lodge a public interest disclosure
Before making a formal disclosure to a PID Officer, you should contact the PID Officer to discuss the proposed disclosure, whether alternative means of dealing with the matter might be more appropriate, and to obtain information regarding your rights and responsibilities as a discloser. Lodge an application via:
Complete the online lodgment form
Alternate methods include:
- Post: PO Box 21, Joondalup WA 6919 (marked confidential to the Principal Public Interest Disclosure Officer)
- Email: download and complete the form below and return via info@joondalup.wa.gov.au
- In person: visit City of Joondalup Administration, 90 Boas Avenue, Joondalup.
City’s commitment
The City is committed to creating a safe and secure environment where people can make disclosures without fear of reprisal or victimisation. To show this commitment, the City is currently improving its public interest disclosure function and will update this web page when improvements are made.
Reprisals and victimisation
The City will take all reasonable steps to provide protection to employees who make such disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for the making of a disclosure. The City of Joondalup does not tolerate any of its officials, employees or contractors engaging in acts of victimisation or reprisal against those who make public interest disclosures. These acts should be reported immediately to the PID Officer or the Chief Executive Officer.
City of Joondalup PID Officer
The person holding or acting in the position of Manager Audit, Risk and Executive Services is designated as the Principal PID Officer of the City of Joondalup. The PID Officer is responsible for receiving disclosures of public interest information relating to matters falling within the sphere of responsibility of the City. The contact details of the PID Officers are as follows:
- Principal Public Interest Disclosure Officer: Christine Robinson on 9400 4370 or christine.robinson@joondalup.wa.gov.au
- Public Interest Disclosure Officer: Heather Hoskisson on 9400 4433 or heather.hoskisson@joondalup.wa.gov.au
More information and FAQs
If you wish to make a disclosure or to discuss the process before completing a public interest disclosure form call 9400 4000.
Frequently asked questions
The Act deals with disclosures by anyone, but the information must be specific to the following areas:
- Improper conduct.
- An act or omission that constitutes an offence under State law, including corruption.
- Substantial unauthorised or irregular use of, or substantial mismanagement of, public resources.
- Conduct involving a substantial and specific risk of injury to public health, prejudice to public safety or harm to the environment.
- A matter of administration that can be investigated under Section 14 of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971.
Before making a disclosure, it is important that you are aware of the rights and responsibilities imposed on disclosers and others under the Act:
- It is an offence to make a disclosure if you know, or are reckless about, it being false and misleading.
- With some exceptions, the proper authority will investigate your information and you will be expected to cooperate.
- You will have to keep your information confidential – or else you may lose protection and commit an offence under the Act.
Making a disclosure is a serious matter and needs to be fully thought through. You should question:
- Whether you have reasonable grounds to believe the information you are thinking of disclosing is true, or otherwise you believe it to be true.
- If the information is something that you think is important to be disclosed because it is in the public interest.
- If you have sought proper advice.
- If you fully understand your responsibilities under the Act if you make a disclosure
The proper authority must inform you within three months of what has been done or they intend to do about your disclosure. You are entitled to a report on the outcome and any action taken when the investigation is complete.
As the disclosure is about a public interest matter rather than a specific complaint, the Act requires confidentiality to be maintained on:
- The identity of the person making the disclosure.
- The information disclosed, including the identity of any person named in the disclosure.
There are exceptions to these rules and anyone thinking of making a disclosure should seek advice from the proper authority on these prior to making a disclosure. A person making a disclosure is provided with protection under the Act from:
- Any reprisals.
- Civil and criminal liability in the event of making a disclosure.
- Dismissal or having services dispensed with.
- Breach of confidentiality or secrecy agreements.
A person alleging victimisation as a result of a disclosure can complain to the Equal Opportunity Commission or may be able to take civil action. For further information visit the Equal Opportunity Commission website.