How am I protected if I make a report?

People who report suspected improper conduct to the ICAC have made a protected communication and are protected persons. They are sometimes referred to as whistleblowers.

Under the ICAC Act, protected persons:

• may be protected against civil, criminal and disciplinary action for the making of a report (protected communication)
• are not restricted from giving the ICAC confidential information that they would not normally be allowed to share due to confidentiality obligations
• may be protected against retaliation.

This means that protected persons may be eligible for the following protections under the ICAC Act, unless they provide information that is false or misleading.

• No civil or criminal liability for taking a protected action.
• No disciplinary action or adverse administrative action for taking a protected action.
• The ICAC may make a declaration that information is protected and provide notice of that fact to any person or body to prevent or deal with retaliation.
• The ICAC can give a written direction to a public body or public officer that protects a person from retaliation.
• It is an offence for a person to engage in retaliation against a protected person because they reported suspected improper conduct.
• It is an offence to disclose the identity of a person who has made a protected communication.