What’s on this page?
This page contains contextualised information to assist Aboriginal Land Councils (ALCs) to understand the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (the PID Act).
The PID Act establishes the framework for reporting serious wrongdoing in the NSW public sector. The Act covers both the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) and Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) in NSW.
Under the PID Act, NSWALC and LALCs are "agencies".
Agencies are responsible for:
- facilitating the making of PIDs
- deciding how a PID should be dealt with
- supporting a speak up culture
- ensuring PID makers are supported and protected
- reporting information on PIDs received to the NSW Ombudsman, and
- ensuring that CEOs, managers and supervisors, as well as disclosure officers in ALCs are trained appropriately.
Under the PID Act, the following people are considered “public officials”:
- staff and councillors of NSWALC
- staff, voting members and board members of LALCs, and
- volunteers, contractors and subcontractors who provide services, or exercise functions on behalf of ALCs.
When public officials report serious wrongdoing, they have protections under the PID Act from detrimental action (such as from bullying and harassment).
What is a speak up culture?
A speak up culture is about ALCs creating an environment where their public officials feel encouraged and empowered to speak up and say something when they become aware of serious wrongdoing and feeling safe to do so.
Having a strong speak up culture encourages your public officials to take action, speak up, and report serious wrongdoing.
Support available for ALCs
The NSW Ombudsman has published guidelines on the PID Act to help agencies and their staff handle public interest disclosures and meet their obligations under the PID Act. These guidelines include the ‘Developing your PID policy guideline’, which provides a model policy for all agencies to use and adapt, if they wish.
There are a range of resources available to help you to understand and meet your obligations and responsibilities under the PID Act.
Videos
Information sheet
Posters
Talk to us! Training and advice
Have a question? The PID ALC Training and Engagement team are available to meet with ALCs to talk about the PID Act or provide tailored assistance or training. Please reach out to discuss potential opportunities.
PID ALC Training and Engagement team:
Phone: 1800
710 277 (option 3)
Email: pidalc@ombo.nsw.gov.au
