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NT ICAC boss concerned about weaknesses in whistleblower laws

THE Territory’s ICAC commissioner has raised concerns about “weaknesses” in whistleblower legislation, warning that it could put public servants at risk if not tested.

Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ken Fleming QC in front of Parliament House in Darwin. Picture: Keri Megelus
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ken Fleming QC in front of Parliament House in Darwin. Picture: Keri Megelus

THE Territory’s ICAC commissioner has raised concerns about “weaknesses” in whistleblower legislation, warning that it could put public servants at risk if not tested. Ken Fleming QC said the NT Government should test its whistleblower legislation because it puts the responsibility for protecting a whistleblower back with the government department they work under. “If a whistleblower is looked after by their own department — and there is a statutory obligation to do that — then they are in the very place where the problem exists,” he said.

“Now the moment you do that, obviously you put the whistleblower at risk.

“For a start they won’t come forward if they have a concern, and second if there is a serious issue going on and they report somebody close to them then obviously there’s a real risk that person will take reprisal.

“You don’t have to have the person who’s looking after the whistleblower in your own department. Departments might swap people, so that it’s somebody external who looks at it.”

Mr Fleming said the new investigatory body had received about 20 referrals including some “serious allegations of real corruption”.

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/nt-icac-boss-concerned-about-weaknesses-in-whistleblower-laws/news-story/814f95d7a7eb0cc29de8a7d5bbc11038