With ATO whistleblower, Richard Boyle, facing jail for accusing his former employer of aggressively pursuing debts from taxpayers, The Echo asked local federal MP, Justine Elliot (Labor), if she is supportive of his actions, and ‘Are there any plans by Labor to strengthen whistleblower laws, specially Section 10 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID) regarding criminal liability?’
Boyle sought protection from prosecution under the act, yet last week, a judge found his actions were not immune from prosecution under Section 10 of the PID.
Mrs Elliot replied, ‘The Albanese government is committed to delivering strong, effective, and accessible protections for whistleblowers’.
‘In particular, the government has committed to a second stage of reform of public sector whistleblowing laws, which will include public consultation on redrafting the Public Interest Disclosure Act to address the underlying complexity of the scheme, and provide effective and accessible protections to public sector whistleblowers; and a discussion paper on the need for additional supports for public sector whistleblowers, such as a Whistleblower Protection Authority or Commissioner.
‘This second stage of reforms will commence, following the passage of the priority amendments contained in the Public Interest Disclosure Bill.
‘In terms of Richard Boyle, as this matter is still before the courts, and Mr Boyle has announced he will be appealing, it is not appropriate to comment on this case’.
Meanwhile, Elliot has joined the Bring Julian Assange Home parliamentary group, as promised during the election campaign in 2022.
Assange languishes in UK jail since 2019
The Echo asked, ‘What are the main obstacles in securing Assange’s release?’
Mrs Elliot replied, ‘The Australian government has been clear in our view that Julian Assange’s case has dragged on for too long and that it should be brought to a close. We will continue to express this view to the governments of the United Kingdom and United States’.
‘Since 2019, the Australian government has written to Julian Assange on 45 occasions to offer consular assistance. Via his representatives, Julian has recently requested a visit from the Australian government, and arrangements are being made for the High Commission to visit.
‘The meeting will be an opportunity to receive any information Julian would like to convey, consistent with the entitlement of all Australians to consular assistance. The Australian government is unable to intervene in another country’s legal or court processes, just as they are unable to intervene in Australia’s. While we are doing what we can between the Australian government and other governments, there are limits until Julian Assange has concluded the legal processes.
‘As we do for other Australians facing legal proceedings overseas, the Australian government is following Julian Assange’s case closely and offering consular assistance to him’.
Yet Greens Senator, David Shoebridge, accused the Albanese government on March 31 of not engaging with the US President on the matter when meetings were held between the two leaders over AUKUS. ‘Not one meeting, phone call or letter sent,’ he tweeted, after highlighting video footage of Senator Penny Wong avoiding his question.
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