Public Interest Disclosure Procedures
The Dorset Council is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2002 (the Act). It does not tolerate improper conduct by its employees, officers or members, or the taking of detrimental action against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.
The Dorset Council recognises the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices, and supports the making of disclosures that reveal the type of conduct to which the Act is directed.
The Dorset Council will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such a disclosure from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure, and to protect their welfare. It will also afford natural justice to all parties involved in the investigation of a disclosure.
Council has adopted the model procedures provided by Ombudsman Tasmania, which are to be reviewed every 3 years.
Policy 32 - Public Interest Disclosures Act 2002 - Dorset Council Procedures
The Procedures were scheduled to be reviewed on 1 July 2020, however, due to Ombudsman Tasmania undertaking a full review of the Procedures, this review has been postponed. Ombudsman Tasmania provided Councils with updated model procedures in December 2020 and Dorset Council is currently reviewing their procedures to submit to Ombudsman Tasmania for approval prior to formal adoption by Council at a future Council Meeting.
How to make a disclosure
Disclosure to persons within the Dorset Council
Disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by a member, officer or employee of Dorset Council may be made to the following officers:
- The General Manager – who is the “Principal Officer” of the public body, within the terms of the Act; and
- a Public Interest Disclosure Officer.
PO Box 21
SCOTTSDALE TASMANIA 7260
or at
3 Ellenor StreetSCOTTSDALE TASMANIA 7260
Email: disclosure@dorset.tas.gov.au
Phone: 03 6352 6500
Each person who holds or acts in any of the following positions within Dorset Council has been appointed by the Principal Officer to act as a Public Interest Disclosure Officer, and holds a delegation which enables them to receive public interest disclosures under the Act.
- Director - Corporate Services
Where a person is contemplating making a disclosure and is concerned about approaching the Principal Officer or a Public Interest Disclosure Officer in the workplace, he or she can call the relevant officer and request a meeting in a discreet location away from the workplace.
It is not a requirement that the person contemplating making a disclosure refers to the Act, or is aware of the Act, to make a valid disclosure.
A disclosure about the Principal Officer or Dorset Council should be immediately referred to the Ombudsman or the Integrity Commission.
Disclosure to the Ombudsman
A disclosure about improper conduct or detrimental action by Dorset Council or any of its members, officers or employees may also be made directly to the Ombudsman. The contact details for the Ombudsman are:
The Ombudsman
GPO Box 960
HOBART TASMANIA 7001
or at
Level 6, 86 Collins Street
HOBART TASMANIA 7000
Internet: www.ombudsman.tas.gov.au
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.tas.gov.au
Phone: 1800 001 170 (Freecall, though charges for mobile phones may apply)
Disclosure to the Integrity Commission
A disclosure about improper conduct or detrimental action by Dorset Council or any of its members, officers or employees may also be made directly to the Integrity Commission. The contact details for the Integrity Commission are:
Tasmanian Integrity Commission
GPO Box 822
HOBART TASMANIA 7001
or at
Level 2
Surrey House
199 Macquarie Street
HOBART TASMANIA 7000
Internet: www.integrity.tas.gov.au
Email: integritycommission@integrity.tas.gov.au
Phone: 1300 720 289
Note: that if the disclosure is about Dorset Council it can only be made to the Ombudsman or the Integrity Commission. Given the normal functions of the Integrity Commission focus on individual misconduct it is recommended that the Ombudsman be contacted in the first instance.