A public interest disclosure is a disclosure of information about certain types of wrongdoing or danger as defined in sections 12 and 13 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010.
Who can make a disclosure
We encourage anyone to come forward if you believe you've seen our staff doing the wrong thing. We want members of the public and staff to feel confident and comfortable making a disclosure.
Anyone (including members of the public) can make a disclosure about:
- a substantial and specific danger to the health or safety of a person with a disability
- a substantial and specific danger to the environment, if it was caused by any of the offences in Schedule 2 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010
- the conduct of another person that could, if proven, be a reprisal (retaliation) for making a disclosure.
If you're a member of staff, you can also make a disclosure about:
- suspected corrupt conduct as defined in Queensland's Crime and Corruption Act 2001
- administrative actions that are unfair, discriminatory, or unjust (maladministration)
- a substantial misuse of public resources
- a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety
- a substantial and specific danger to the environment.
If you have a concern, complaint or feedback about something else you can contact us to give your feedback.
We believe that any staff member who speaks out about wrongdoing is doing the right thing. All government workers must disclose fraud and corruption. You can learn more about these obligations in the Queensland Public Service Code of Conduct and the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994.
How to make a disclosure
If you make a disclosure, you have a responsibility to provide honest, accurate and relevant information. It is a criminal offence to make a disclosure knowing it is false or misleading.
A public interest disclosure must be made to a proper authority.
You can make a disclosure directly to our:
- Ethics and Integrity Unit
- Email: SCHHS-PID@health.qld.gov.au and / or SCHHS-CCC@health.qld.gov.au
- Phone: 07 5202 0091
- Chief Executive Officer
You can also make a disclosure to:
- the Crime and Corruption Commission, if the conduct is about corruption
- the Queensland Ombudsman if the conduct is about mismanagement
- any Member of the Queensland Parliament.
You are able to make a disclosure anonymously. If you choose to do so, you should provide a way for us to contact you (such as an email address you have set up for the purpose of making the disclosure), in case we need to contact you for more information. This will also allow us to provide you with updates on what action we have taken.
Further information and support
We manage public interest disclosures in line with the Public Interest Disclosure - Sunshine Coast Health Procedure [PDF 446.47 KB].
The Queensland Ombudsman has information and advice for anyone making a public interest disclosure.