Recent changes to the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act, or ICAC Act, will have a significant impact upon the way whistleblower protections are offered in the Northern Territory.
My office has released a training package of video modules designed to enable individuals to better understand how and when whistleblower protections are available. The videos also explain the responsibilities imposed on public officers to maintain confidentiality and prevent retaliation.
A further legislative amendment, which will commence on 2 January 2024, will make it an offence to disclose the identity of a protected person except in particular circumstances. We will release further training about that change in December.
New directions and guidelines relating to whistleblowing, and protecting persons from retaliation, will be released on 2 January 2024. Public bodies will be given 6 months to implement those directions and guidelines before my office will commence evaluations of compliance.
Given the recent changes to legislation, I encourage every public officer to view the training videos.
The Whistleblower Framework in the NT | Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) here
Michael Riches
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (NT)
