Freedom of Information
Aqwest publishes an Information Statement in accordance with S. 94 of the Freedom of Information Act 1992. This gives members of the public the legal right to access information held by Government agencies (Federal, State and Local); and Statutory Authorities.
The Information Statement details the processes and practices by which Aqwest deals with applications for documents and/or amendment to personal information.
Public Interest Disclosure
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 (PID Act) allows people to make disclosures about wrongdoing in public authorities, which includes Aqwest as a government trading enterprise, and protects them when they do. If you have a concern about the past, current or future conduct of Aqwest, making a disclosure under the PID Act may offer protection for you and those who are the subject of your claims.
What is a public interest disclosure?
A public interest disclosure is a report of wrongdoing made under the PID Act. A disclosure must relate to a matter of public interest information and show or tend to show wrongdoing by a public authority, public officer or public sector contractor performing a public function. A public interest disclosure can be made by anyone who believes on reasonable grounds their information is or may be true. It is an offence under the PID Act to deliberately make a false or misleading disclosure.
Why should I speak up and make a public interest disclosure?
By making a public interest disclosure you could help to stop or prevent:
wrongdoing
others being disadvantaged or advantaged by the wrongdoing
danger to the health and safety of the community
damage to the environment.
Your disclosure could inform a public authority about a larger problem and it may lead to better work practices. You can be satisfied you did what you could to improve the situation.
What is a 'PID Officer'?
The ‘Public Interest Disclosure (PID) Officer’ is the person who holds the specified position as the proper authority to receive public interest disclosures within the sphere of responsibility of the public authority. This person is designated by the Principal Executive Officer (PEO) under section 23(1)(a) of the PID Act Generally, the disclosures about a public authority or its officer or contractors need to be made to the PID Officer of the public authority concerned. However, depending upon the nature of the matter, it may need to be made to a proper authority as identified in section 5(3) of the PID Act.
How do I make a public interest disclosure?
Aqwest takes all reports of fraud, corruption or misconduct seriously. Before making a disclosure, contact one of Aqwest's PID Officers to find out:
how to make the disclosure and to whom you should make it
your rights and responsibilities, including your protections
the types of information the PID Act covers
whether making a public interest disclosure is the best avenue for you to use
Note: if you make a disclosure under the PID Act, you must not discuss the matter with anyone other than the PID Officer or the person investigating the matter. Otherwise you may lose your protections under the PID Act and incur a penalty.
Aqwest's PID Officers
Aqwest has designated PID Officers who are responsible for receiving disclosures of public interest information in relation to matters falling within our responsibility. Aqwest's PID Officers are:
Shelley Stubbs
People & Culture Coordinator
[email protected]
Ph: (08) 9780 9500
Gary Hallsworth
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
Ph: (08) 9780 9500
Further Information
For further information please refer to the Public Sector Commission - www.wa.gov.au/organisation/public-sector-commission
Public Sector Commission
Phone: (08) 6552 8888
Email: [email protected]
