Independents have whistleblowers' backs

INDI MP Helen Haines has joined independent parliamentarians on Monday with the introduction of a Bill aimed at enhancing the protection of whistleblowers. The Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 was tabled in the House of Representatives and also in the Senate. The Bill establishes the Whistleblower Protection Authority – a new, independent statutory authority responsible for providing information, advice, assistance, guidance and support to whistleblowers and potential whistleblowers. The Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Andrew Wilkie (MHR, Clark), seconded by Dr Haines, and in the Senate on Tuesday by Senator David Pocock and Senator Jacqui Lambie. Dr Haines said whistleblowers have played a huge role in Australia exposing serious wrongdoing by politicians, government agencies and corporations. "So when they speak out about wrongdoing, we need to have their back," she said. "A Whistleblower Protection Authority remains the missing piece in Australia’s integrity landscape." Mr Wilkie said whistleblowers make Australia a better place. "They should not be punished for telling the truth, or for exposing misconduct or wrongdoing. "But the government is failing to provide adequate support and protections, and instead is fixated on punishing anyone who speaks out and deterring those who might. “A Whistleblower Protection Authority will go some way to helping whistleblowers and potential whistleblowers navigate the legal landscape when revealing evidence of misconduct, as well as ensuring they are supported when making disclosures of wrongdoing.” Mr Wilkie is himself a whistleblower, having resigned from what is now called the Office of National Intelligence in 2003 over the fraudulent reasons for the invasion of Iraq.