The ICAC Act includes certain protections for people who provide information or make a report about suspected improper conduct to the ICAC, a prescribed public officer, or a person or body performing a function under the ICAC Act.
Public bodies are primarily responsible for protecting those who report improper conduct. Public bodies should have frameworks and practices in place to reduce the risks of retaliation and to protect the confidentiality of protected persons. The ICAC has issued guidelines for the minimisation of retaliation against protected persons for public bodies and public officers to assist in developing and implementing practices that reduce the risks of retaliation.
The ICAC can give a direction to a public body to take action to protect a person. This direction can only be given if the ICAC is satisfied that the direction would:
- reduce the risk of retaliation
- mitigate harm as a result of retaliation, or
- prevent harm as a result of future retaliation.
If you fear or experience retaliation, you should report it to the ICAC or a prescribed public officer in your organisation.
The ICAC can give a written direction to a public body or public officer to:
- make an arrangement for a public officer to be offered an opportunity to relocate to a suitable role in a different work unit or location
- manage any retaliation risks to a particular person, or persons, or particular group
- take any other action
- refrain from taking any action.
People who report suspected improper conduct should also take steps to reduce the risk of retaliation, for example by not telling others that they have made a report.
Read more about protection on Am I protected if I make a report or provide information?