BETTER laws to protect whistle blowers could be introduced into the Assembly, if passed today.

The new Public Interest Disclosure Bill will replace the existing Public Interest Disclosure Act 1994, and will adopt a best practice framework for managing public interest disclosures (PIDs), including clear oversight responsibilities and compensation for whistle blowers if they suffer as a result of exposing any wrong doing.

“The Bill respects the strength of character required by people to make PIDs, acknowledges the resources that should be devoted to investigating and responding to PIDs, and grants all those associated with the investigation the procedural fairness they deserve,” Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said, who will introduce the Bill.

The draft Bill was released late in 2011 for public comment and submissions indicated support for improving the Territory’s public interest disclosure laws.

“The Bill has certainly been enhanced by the comments received during the public consultation stage, particularly those provided by Professor A. J. Brown from the Whistling While You Work project team,” Gallagher said.

“The new legislation draws heavily on the findings of the Whistling While They Work project, which has been called the most comprehensive study of whistle blowing ever conducted.”