The Greens have tabled a bill to protect whistleblowers who make disclosures to the Custodial Inspector from reprisal. The Custodial Inspector has recommended legislative changes to protect whistleblowers, but the Liberals have been deaf to these calls.
Whistleblowers are an incredibly important part of our democracy, and play a crucial role in bringing to light issues in our institutions. The importance of whistleblowers in custodial institutions cannot be underestimated, especially given recent issues such as the inhumane treatment of prisoners in dry cells.
The Custodial Inspector has spoken about the fear of reprisals held by people who raise concerns with his office. He’s recommended the need for protection for these whistleblowers, but the Liberal Government have failed to act on these concerns.
The Greens have taken up the Custodial Inspector’s recommendations to protect whistleblowers with this bill. We call on our parliamentary colleagues will support our bill in the interests of both transparency and the protection of human rights.
On February 26, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a significant False Claims Act (FCA) ruling in United States of America ex rel. Cheryl Taylor v. Healthcare ...