Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill 2019-21

provide protections for whistleblowers; to create offences relating to the treatment of whistleblowers and the handling of whistleblowing cases; to establish an independent body to protect whistleblowers and whistleblowing, in accordance with the public interest; to make provision for that body to set, monitor and enforce standards for the management of whistleblowing cases, to provide disclosure and advice services, to direct whistleblowing investigations and to order redress of detriment suffered by whistleblowers; to repeal the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998; and for connected purposes.

Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)

What is this Bill?

The Public Interest Disclosure (Protection) Bill was a Ballot Bill tabled by Philippa Whitford.

Is this Bill currently before Parliament?

No. This Bill is not under active consideration by Parliament, as it was introduced during the previous 2019-21 Session.

Whose idea is this Bill?

As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Philippa Whitford), not the Government.

What type of Bill is this?

20 Ballot Bills places are awarded by lottery to backbench MP's at the start of each Session. These Bills receive precedence for debate in the Commons and a handful will succeed in becoming enacted into law.

The higher chance of success means MPs who win a ballot slot are frequently lobbied by groups wishing to have legislation tabled on their behalf, but the choice of bill ultimately remains with the MP.

So is this going to become a law?

No. This Bill did not complete it's passage before the Session completed and is no longer before Parliament. However, it may have been re-introduced under a similar name in a subsequent Session.

Would you like to know more?

See these Glossary articles for more information: Ballot Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill

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