Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS

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By Sydney Lang

Source: SBS News

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AustraliaAustralian Federal PoliticsCorruption

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Legal rights groups and independent crossbenchers are calling for the establishment of an independent Whistleblower Protection Authority amid concerns the current laws are not fit for purpose. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has now introduced a bill into parliament.

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TRANSCRIPT

"Mr Speaker I'm introducing this bill because the community has been waiting three years for the government to enact meaningful reforms to protect whistleblowers, but so far bugger all has been done and we're all bitterly disappointed. "

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie there, introducing a private members bill calling for the establishment of an Independent Whistleblower Protection Agency.

While whistleblowers in Australia are given some legal protections, some people, like Andrew Wilkie, say they are in urgent need of reform.

"Whistle blowers are an essential part of our democratic system. We need people who are witness to misconduct, to speak up and to be able to speak up safely. But in Australia, currently, whistle blowing is diabolically difficult."

The Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill has been introduced by MP Andrew Wilkie, MP Helen...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwFBVV95cUxPRlVkeWkwUktoUlo5RTdyLTRa...