Whistleblower Protection

Andrew McLachlan

I remind senators that, after 4.30 pm on Thursday 27 June 2024, a division was called on the motion moved by Senator Shoebridge relating to general business notice of motion No. 540, concerning whistleblower laws. I understand that it suits the convenience of the Senate for the deferred vote to be held now.

The question before the Senate is that the motion moved by Senator Shoebridge be agreed to:

That the Senate—

(a) affirms that it is essential to protect whistleblowers, to expand their protections and to include a clear public interest test;

(b) commits to urgently reforming whistleblower laws and creating a Whistleblower Protection Authority;

(c) celebrates the return to Australia of journalist and whistleblower Julian Assange;

(d) notes with concern that Afghanistan war crimes whistleblower David McBride is in prison right now because broken whistleblower laws failed him; and

(e) recognises that Australian Taxation Office whistleblower Richard Boyle faces a potential prison sentence after broken laws were found to not protect his actions.