What is protected communication?
Protected communication is a report made to the ICAC alleging suspected improper conduct. This includes reports made by an individual or a prescribed public officer in accordance with directions and guidelines on dealing with voluntary protected communications.
For information to be a protected communication, the individual must suspect that the information would:
- tend to show that improper conduct has occurred, is occurring, or is at risk of occurring, or
- assist the ICAC to perform the ICAC's functions, or
- assist in achieving the objects of the ICAC Act.
The act of making a protected communication is called protected action.
What is a protected action?
A protected action is when a person makes a protected communication. It is important to understand that such action will not be a protected action if the information given is false or misleading.
If a person acts to comply with the ICAC Act or to cooperate with a person or body performing functions under this Act, such as a staff member of the Office of the ICAC, they may have taken a protected action.