Report wrongdoing at the OHO

If you suspect wrongdoing at the OHO, you can report it by making a 'public interest disclosure'.

You are encouraged to report wrongdoing in the public sector. Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010, only some kinds of information are public interest disclosures. Any person may make a public interest disclosure about:

• Substantial and specific danger to the health or safety of a person with a disability
• Substantial and specific danger to the environment caused by commission of an offence or contravention of a condition in certain environmental legislation
• Reprisal that occurs after a public interest disclosure.

A public interest disclosure by a public sector officer may also be about:

• Corrupt conduct
• Maladministration that adversely affects a person’s interests in a substantial and specific way
• A substantial misuse of public resources
• A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety
• A substantial and specific danger to the environment.

You can make a disclosure verbally or in writing. The Office of the Health Ombudsman Public interest disclosure policy outlines the obligations of the OHO in dealing with public interest disclosures.

Protection of disclosers

Making a public interest disclosure about suspected wrongdoing is the right thing to do. There are protections against reprisal for a person (either a member of the public or a public sector officer) who makes a public interest disclosure, or for persons who are involved in a public interest disclosure investigation.

A reprisal is where a person causes detriment to another person because they believe the other person:

• Has made a public interest disclosure
• Intends to make a public interest disclosure
• Has been involved in a proceeding under the Public Interest Act 2010
• Intends to be involved in a proceeding under the Public Interest Act 2010.

A reprisal against a discloser is an offence.