Transparency International Australia, the Human Rights Law Centre, and Griffith University’s Centre for Governance and Public Policy have today released A Fair Go for Speaking Up: Design Principles For Australia’s Federal Whistleblower Protection Authority, providing a comprehensive blueprint for establishing
an independent body dedicated to safeguarding individuals who expose misconduct.

This release coincides with the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee’s ongoing inquiry into the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 (No. 2), introduced by Independent MP’s Andrew Wilkie and Dr Helen Haines and Senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie. The Bill proposes the establishment of an independent statutory body dedicated to supporting whistleblowers and enforcing protections across federal jurisdictions. The Committee is accepting submissions until 30 June 2025, with a report due by 29 August 2025.

Professor A J Brown AM, Chair of Transparency International Australia and Professor at Griffith University, said:

“The release of the Design Principles for Australia’s Federal Whistleblower Protection Authority provides a clear roadmap for establishing an independent body that ensures whistleblower protections are not just theoretical but effectively implemented across both public and private sectors. This Authority would be instrumental in enforcing protections, offering support to whistleblowers, facilitating disclosures, and ensuring that no whistleblower is left unprotected.”

Kieran Pender, Acting Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre, said:

“The Albanese Government has a crucial opportunity to fix our broken whistleblower laws, establish a Whistleblower Protection Authority and ensure whistleblowers are protected not punished. We commend the crossbench for pursuing this landmark reform, the Albanese Government should move swiftly to implement it.”

Sharon Kelsey, anti-corruption whistleblower said:

“Blowing the whistle can come at an enormous personal cost. No one should have to endure job losses, face lawsuits or criminal charges for doing the right thing. Establishing a Whistleblower Protection Authority is crucial to ensure that individuals who speak up are given meaningful legal and psychological support, so no whistleblower has to go through their journey alone.”

The release of these Design Principles aligns with the 4th National Whistleblowing Symposium held today at Old Parliament House in Canberra, bringing together experts, whistleblowers, and policymakers to discuss the future of whistleblower protections in Australia.