The Human Rights Law Centre will participate in an appeal by former Australian Taxation Office debt collector Richard Boyle, who is seeking to halt his prosecution over allegedly releasing protected information.
Boyle's appeal will be heard in August with the law centre granted leave to appear as amicus curiae or as a friend of the court.
Such leave recognises the organisation may be able to assist on points of law or other issues related to the case.
In civil proceedings in the South Australian District Court, Boyle had previously argued that his whistleblower actions were consistent with the federal government's Public Interest Disclosure Act, rendering him immune from prosecution.
But in March Judge Liesl Kudelka dismissed his claim, ruling he was not protected by the act, effectively clearing the way for his criminal trial to proceed in October.
He is now seeking to appeal that decision.
Human Rights Law Centre senior lawyer Kieran Pender said Boyle's appeal could determine the strength of protections for all Australian whistleblowers.
"It is a vitally important test case with significant implications for truth and transparency in this country," he said.
In the criminal case, Boyle is facing more than 20 charges related to the release of protected material after he claimed ATO staff had been instructed to use harsher debt collection tactics on individuals and small businesses, including orders requiring banks to hand over money, sometimes without the permission of...
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