62ARole of principal officer

62A Role of principal officer

[Section 62A Inserted by No. 68 of 2009, s. 28, Applied:01 Oct 2010]

(1)  The principal officer is responsible for –

(a) preparing procedures for approval by the Ombudsman; and

(b) receiving public interest disclosures and ensuring they are dealt with in accordance with this Act; and

(c) ensuring the protection of witnesses; and

(d) ensuring the application of the principles of natural justice in the public body's procedures; and

(e) ensuring the promotion of the importance of public interest disclosures, including general education of all staff about the legislation, and ensuring easy access to information about both the legislation and the public body's procedures; and

(f) providing access, for persons making a disclosure and others involved in the process of investigation, to confidential employee assistance programs; and

(g) providing access, for persons making a disclosure and others involved in the process of investigation, to appropriately trained internal support staff.

(2)  The principal officer of a public body is to appoint one or more persons as public interest disclosure officers.

(3)  A public interest disclosure officer may be appointed for a period not exceeding 3 years, and may be reappointed for further periods not exceeding 3 years.

(4)  Prior to the appointment or reappointment of a public interest disclosure officer, the principal officer must ensure that the officer to be appointed or reappointed has the skills and knowledge to fulfil the role of a public interest disclosure officer.