PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES ACT 1994 - SECT 13
Disclosure concerning Ombudsman, Auditor-General or staff
PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES ACT 1994 - SECT 13
Disclosure concerning Ombudsman, Auditor-General or staff
13 Disclosure concerning Ombudsman, Auditor-General or staff
(1) Despite section 10, a disclosure by a public official to the Commission
that the person making the disclosure honestly believes, on reasonable
grounds, shows or tends to show that, in the exercise of a function relating
to a matter of administration conferred or imposed on the Ombudsman, the
Ombudsman or an officer of the Ombudsman has engaged, is engaged or proposes
to engage in conduct of a kind that amounts to maladministration is protected
by this Act.
(3) Despite section 11, a disclosure by a public official to the
Ombudsman that the person making the disclosure honestly believes, on
reasonable grounds, shows or tends to show--
(c) that the Auditor-General or a
member of the staff of the Auditor-General has seriously and substantially
wasted public money,
is protected by this Act.
(4) The Ombudsman may
investigate, and report on, in accordance with the Ombudsman Act 1974, any
matter raised by a disclosure made to it that is of a kind referred to in
subsection (3). For the purposes of such an investigation the Ombudsman may
engage consultants or other persons for the purpose of getting expert
assistance.
(5) An investigating authority may decline to investigate or may
discontinue the investigation of any matter referred to in this section.
(6)
A disclosure referred to in this section is protected by this Act only if it
satisfies all other applicable requirements of this Part.