Public Interest Disclosure

A Public Interest Disclosure (PID) is a report about a suspected wrongdoing in the public sector. Council is committed to protecting those who report wrongdoing.

For a report to be considered a PID it must be:

  • a disclosure of information specified in the Act
  • made in the public interest
  • made to the proper authority.

Once considered, a PID it will attract the protections under the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2010.

To ensure the appropriate handling of PIDs, Council adopted a  Procedure and Guidelines and a Public Interest Disclosure Policy.

Identifying the proper authority to make a disclosure to

To identify whether council is the proper authority to make your report to, you need to consider who and what the report is about. Council would be authorised to receive a PID where:

  • the disclosure is about the conduct of Council or its employees
  • Council is responsible for investigating particular issues. For example, the Crime and Corruption Commission can receive PIDs about official misconduct.

Public interest disclosures should be made to the Chief Executive Officer. A PID can be made verbally, in writing or using the online form below.

Making a PID

Members of the public can make a PID regarding any of the following:

  • a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety, or to a person with a disability
  • a breach of environmental law. The breach needs to be substantial and a specific danger to the environment
  • a reprisal (see below).

A reprisal occurs if a person causes or attempts to cause damage or harm to you, because they believe you:

  • have made, or intend to make a PID
  • have taken part in, or intend to take part in procedures under the PID Act.

If on initial assessment it is unclear whether a disclosure is a public interest disclosure under the Act, it will be assumed that the disclosure is a public interest disclosure and therefore the Act will apply.

Submitting your PID

There is no specific format required for use in making a public interest disclosure. However to enable the best assessment and investigation outcome, public interest disclosures should be made in writing (whenever possible) and contain all available information. A disclosure can be made verbally.

Use the Public Interest Disclosures online form below to lodge your PID.

A Discloser must be prepared to provide supporting evidence to assist the investigation of the disclosure.

Anonymous PIDs

Anonymous disclosures can be made. Council prefers that disclosers identify themselves. This enables the best assessment and investigation of the PID. It also ensures appropriate support is provided to the discloser.

If you choose to remain anonymous please give as much information as possible in your disclosure. This will allow for proper assessment and investigation of the PID. Anonymous disclosers can't be informed of the investigation outcome. As a result, some of the protections in the Act may not apply.

Responsibilities of someone making a PID

When making a PID, you have a responsibility to:

  • provide honest and accurate information. Deliberately providing false or misleading information is an offence
  • provide all information currently in your possession. You must not seek to investigate the matter yourself
  • make the disclosure to someone you reasonably believe is the proper authority to receive it.

More information

For more information please contact the PID Coordinator:

At the Queensland Ombudsman's website you can find:

  • fact sheets
  • information guidelines regarding PIDs
  • details of your rights and obligations under the Act.

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