Action item 14.27a
Progress
Complete.
Approved by decision makers.
Recommendation implemented.
That prior to the grant of any production approvals, the Government enacts whistleblower protections in respect of any onshore shale gas industry.
Completed
Action item update
Implementation
The Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet completed a review of the extent to which existing protections across a variety of Northern Territory and Commonwealth legislative instruments are appropriate for implementing this recommendation including additional whistleblower protection in both Northern Territory and Commonwealth legislation put in place since the Inquiry.
Working with the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice, further information disclosure advice is now provided through the Onshore Gas Non-compliance Hotline (the Hotline) protocol and script to ensure callers who wish to disclose their details are fully aware of how information provided will be handled and can elect to remain anonymous. More information on the Hotline and the protocol is on the DEPWS website.
Through existing and additional Northern Territory and Commonwealth whistleblower protections across a variety of legislative instruments and the anonymous reporting available through the Hotline as a result of completing Recommendation 14.27b, the intention of this recommendation to provide a safe and protected mechanism to report non-compliance has been met with a commitment to evaluate the use of the Hotline within 3 years.