WorkCover WA is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 which came into effect on 1 July 2003.

The Act facilitates the disclosure of public interest information by providing protection for those who make disclosures and those who are the subject of disclosures.

It provides a system for the matters disclosed to be investigated and for appropriate action to be taken. If you believe that something is wrong with the way a government official or public authority or government contractor is acting or going to act, it is in the public interest that you talk to someone who can do something about it.

WorkCover WA recognises the value and importance of the public interest disclosure policy and legislation to eliminate improper and unlawful conduct, substantial mismanagement of public resources and substantial risks to the environment, public health and safety.

What do you need to know before making a disclosure?

You can make disclosures about information that predates 1 July 2003 and about public authorities that include State government agencies and departments, local governments and bodies established under a written law for a public purpose, such as a public university.

The Act deals with disclosures by anyone (not just government workers) but the information must be specific to the following areas:

• improper conduct
• an offence under State law, including corruption Administration matter(s) affecting you
• irregular or unauthorised use of public resources
• substantial unauthorised or irregular use of, or substantial mismanagement of, public resources
• conduct involving a substantial and specific risk of injury to public health, prejudice to public safety or harm to the environment.

Before making a disclosure it is important that you are aware of the rights and responsibilities imposed on informants and others under the Act. A copy of this information is available from the Public Interest Disclosure Officer.

The Act only confers protection where a disclosure is made to an appropriate proper authority. The identity of the appropriate proper authority will vary according to the kind of information to be disclosed. The Public Interest Disclosure Officer is responsible for receiving disclosures of public interest information relating to matters falling within the sphere of responsibility of the WorkCover Western Australia (proper authority).

Who are WorkCover’s Public Interest Disclosure Officers?

WorkCover WA's Public Interest Disclosure Officers are Mr Jeff McDonough, General Manager Corporate Resources and Ms Wendy Attenborough, General Manager Conciliation and Arbitration Services. The Public Disclosure Officers can be contacted by telephone on (08) 9388 5555 or by email at disclosure@workcover.wa.gov.au. Your contact with the Public Interest Disclosure Officers will be treated with the strictest confidence.