The New South Wales Government has advised councils of new reporting requires under the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 which sets out a framework for protecting public officials who disclose wrongdoing in accordance with the Act.

 

From 1 January 2012, councils will be required to prepare an annual report on their obligations under the Act within four months after the end of a reporting year. They will also be required to provide the NSW Ombudsman with statistical information regarding their compliance with their obligations under the Act on a six monthly basis.

 

The report is to be provided to the NSW Ombudsman within 30 days after the end of the relevant six month period or by such later time as the Ombudsman may approve.

 

The information to be provided in the annual and six monthly reports is outlined in the Public Interest Disclosures Regulation 2011.

 

The government will use the reports to analyse whether the Act is operating effectively to protect public officials who disclose wrongdoing and whether public authorities are complying with the Act.

 

More information is at  www.dlg.nsw.gov.au