2015-03-03 Planning & Organisation Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  3 MARCH 2015




                                                                            Council Policy
                                                                 PUBLIC INTEREST
                                                                    DISCLOUSRE


 Corporate Plan Reference:                   ‘A sustainable Council’, ‘Good governance practices’

 Endorsed by Council:                        <Insert Date of Ordinary Meeting >

 Policy Author:                              Governance Advisor



POLICY BACKGROUND

Noosa Council is committed to the disclosure of information about suspected wrongdoing
within the organisation so that it can be properly evaluated and if necessary, appropriately
investigated. This Policy confirms this commitment by ensuring practical and effective
procedures are developed and embedded in the complaints framework of the organisation,
which complies with the requirements of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (PID Act).

The PID Act replaced the former Whistleblowers Protection Act 1994. By complying with the
relevant provisions of the PID Act, Council will strive to ensure the following:

    The promotion of public interest by facilitating public interest disclosures (PID) of
      wrongdoing;
    PIDs are properly assessed and, where appropriate, properly investigated and dealt
      with;
    Appropriate consideration is given to the interests of persons who are the subject of a
      PID; and
    Procedures are in place to afford protection from reprisals to persons making a PID.

COUNCIL POLICY

The organisation must establish a practical Public Interest Disclosure Management Program
and Procedure to ensure that the reporting of wrongdoing is encouraged across Council and
that the requirements of the PID Act are incorporated into Council’s practices and
procedures.

Pursuant to s28 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010, the CEO must establish
reasonable procedures to ensure that:

(a)   Councillors and employees who make PIDs are given appropriate support;
(b)   PIDs made to Council are properly assessed and when appropriate, properly
      investigated and dealt with;
(c)   Appropriate Action is taken in relation to any wrongdoing that is the subject of a PID
      made to the entity;




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