Dealing with voluntary PIDs

Dealing with a voluntary public interest disclosure (PID) appropriately is key to a healthy ‘speak up’ culture and a strong PID framework, because it is the type of disclosure made when a PID maker comes forward voluntarily to make a report of serious wrongdoing.

When an agency receives a voluntary PID, it must take action to decide how it will deal with the PID. The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act) imposes a number of obligations on agencies when dealing with voluntary PIDs. When agencies act on disclosures, it provides an opportunity to:

• identify procedures and practices that need improving
• identify wrongdoing and misconduct by public officials, contractors and volunteers
• send a clear message to public officials that serious wrongdoing will not be tolerated and that reports will be acted upon
• strengthen the integrity of the agency and the public sector in general
• strengthen public perceptions about the integrity of the public sector.

These guidelines provide guidance to agencies on:

• how to determine what action they should take to deal with a voluntary PID
• the different ways in which agencies can deal with a voluntary PID
• the considerations to be considered when deciding to refer, or not to refer, a voluntary PID to another agency
• agency obligations to the makers of voluntary PIDs
• an agency’s reporting and notification obligations to the Ombudsman in relation to voluntary PIDs.

The PID Act provides that agencies must have regard to the Ombudsman’s guidelines when considering what action or proposed action it will take to deal with a voluntary PID.