Public Interest Disclosure (PID)

The Shire of Kojonup is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 (PID Act) which allows people to make disclosures about wrongdoing in public authorities. This includes the State public sector, local governments, government trading enterprises, public universities and some government boards and committees (public authorities), and protects them when they do.

The Shire of Kojonup encourages employees, contractors, and community members to report any instances of corruption or improper conduct, or situations where such actions are anticipated.

A disclosure is not a general complaint.  It must relate to something that affects the rights, health or finances of the public, and must show serious wrongdoing by a public authority, staff member or contractor when performing their job.  Disclosures can be made about a number of serious issues including corruption, misuse of public resources, dishonest administration, or danger to public health and safety.

What is wrongdoing according to the Act?

Your disclosure must tend to show the public body’s involvement in one or more of the following:

  • An offence under State Law
  • Conduct relating to matters of State and local government administration affecting you
  • Substantial mismanagement of public resources
  • Substantial unauthorised or irregular use of public resources
  • Substantial and specific risk of injury to public health, prejudice to public safety or harm to the environment.
  • Improper conduct*

*Generally, improper conduct is a breach of the standards of conduct that a reasonable person would expect of a person or body, knowing their duties, powers and authority in the circumstances of the case.

How do I make a public interest disclosure?

You should reach out to the Public Interest Disclosure (PID) Officer at the Shire of Kojonup before making any disclosures. The officer will assist you by:

  • How you make the disclosure and who you should disclose to;
  • Your rights and responsibilities;
  • The protections that will apply;
  • Whether the information you have is covered by the Act.

If your information is not covered by the Act, you can still make your disclosure to the Shire of Kojonup using its Complaints process.

Once you have been informed about the Act and your rights and responsibilities, you must make it clear that you have chosen to make your disclosure under the Act.

If you choose to make your disclosure under the Act, you must ensure you do not discuss the matter with anyone other than the PID officer or the person conducting the investigation. You may lose your immunity under the Act and breach the confidentiality provisions which may incur a penalty if you do.

A disclosure is more than a general complaint about dissatisfaction with a product or service or a decision by government, and it is more than a personal grievance that can be resolved by agreement between parties.  In order to be covered by the Act, the information needs to relate to a matter of public interest.

Those wishing to make a disclosure of public interest information under the Act are encouraged to do so in writing.

 

For a copy of the Public Interest Disclosure Procedures please Procedure PID.

The Public Interest Disclosure Lodgement Form is available below.

Additional Reference Forms

Disclosures can be emailed to the Shire of Kojonup PID Officer.

Position

Name of PID Officer

Contact details

Information Management and Cemetery Officer

Lisa Berry

Phone: 9831 2400

Email: council@kojonup.wa.gov.au