South Australian Consolidated Acts

WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT 1993 - SECT 4

4—Interpretation

        (1)         In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—

"adult" means of or above the age of 18 years;

"government agency" means—

            (a)         a department or administrative unit of the Public Service; or

            (b)         a body corporate that is an instrumentality or agency of the Crown;

"maladministration" includes impropriety or negligence;

"public interest information" means information that tends to show—

            (a)         that an adult person (whether or not a public officer), body corporate or government agency is or has been involved (either before or after the commencement of this Act)—

                  (i)         in an illegal activity; or

                  (ii)         in an irregular and unauthorised use of public money; or

                  (iii)         in substantial mismanagement of public resources; or

                  (iv)         in conduct that causes a substantial risk to public health or safety, or to the environment; or

            (b)         that a public officer is guilty of maladministration in or in relation to the performance (either before or after the commencement of this Act) of official functions;

"public officer" means—

            (a)         a person appointed to public office by the Governor; or

            (b)         a member of Parliament; or

            (c)         a person employed in the Public Service of the State; or

            (d)         a member of the police force; or

            (e)         any other officer or employee of the Crown; or

            (f)         a member, officer or employee of—

                  (i)         an agency or instrumentality of the Crown; or

                  (ii)         a body that is subject to control or direction by a Minister, agency or instrumentality of the Crown; or

                  (iii)         a body whose members, or a majority of whose members, are appointed by the Governor or a Minister, agency or instrumentality of the Crown; or

            (g)         a member of a local government body or an officer or employee of a local government body.

        (2)         The question whether a public officer—

            (a)         is or has been involved in—

                  (i)         an irregular and unauthorised use of public money; or

                  (ii)         substantial mismanagement of public resources; or

            (b)         is guilty of maladministration in or in relation to the performance of official functions,

is to be determined with due regard to relevant statutory provisions and administrative instructions and directions.

Note—

For definition of divisional penalties (and divisional expiation fees) see Appendix.