43Content of policy

43 Content of policy

43 Content of policy

(1) An agency’s public interest disclosure policy must specify the agency’s procedures for the following—

(a) dealing with disclosures that are or may be voluntary public interest disclosures,

(b) acknowledging receipt of voluntary public interest disclosures and providing information to the makers of voluntary public interest disclosures,

(c) taking steps to assess and minimise the risk of detrimental action, other than reasonable management action, being taken against a person as a result of voluntary public interest disclosures being made,

(d) dealing with allegations a detrimental action offence has been committed by or against a public official associated with the agency,

(e) maintaining confidentiality in relation to voluntary public interest disclosures and protecting the identity of the makers of voluntary public interest disclosures,

(f) taking appropriate corrective action in response to findings of serious wrongdoing or other misconduct that arise from voluntary public interest disclosures relating to the agency,

(g) record-keeping and reporting in relation to voluntary public interest disclosures, including the preparation of annual returns,

(h) establishing internal oversight of the agency’s compliance with this Act,

(i) otherwise complying with this Act.

(2) An agency’s public interest disclosure policy must specify—

(a) the responsibilities imposed by this Act on—

(i) the head of the agency, and

(ii) other disclosure officers for the agency, and

(b) the responsibility imposed by section 51(1) on managers of public officials associated with the agency.

(3) An agency’s public interest disclosure policy must include information about the protections available under this Act to makers of—

(a) voluntary public interest disclosures, and

(b) other categories of public interest disclosure.