Whistleblowing in the Australian Public Sector

Whistleblowing in the Australian Public Sector

Enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management in public sector organisations

Edited by: A. J. Brown

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Description

Of the many challenges in public sector management, few are as complex as the management of whistleblowing. Because it can lead to the discovery and rectification of wrongdoing, public interest whistleblowing is widely acknowledged as being positive for organisations and for society at large. However, the conflicts and reprisal risks often associated with whistleblowing also support a widespread belief that every whistleblower is destined to suffer, and nothing can be done to protect them from reprisals. Even if they did it once, sensible employees are often seen as unlikely to ever blow the whistle a second time around.

The extensive research in this book reveals a more complex and, fortunately, more positive picture. The product of one of the world’s most comprehensive research projects on whistleblowing, evidence from over 8,000 public servants in over 100 federal, state and local government agencies shows that whistleblowers can and do survive, and that often their role is highly valued. Public sector managers face significant challenges in better managing and protecting whistleblowers. There is great variation between the many public agencies making the effort, and the many agencies where the outcomes — for managers and whistleblowers alike — are still likely to be grim. This book is compulsory reading for all public sector managers who wish to turn this negative trend around, and for anyone interested in public accountability generally.

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Whistleblowing in the Australian Public Sector »

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  1. Introduction (PDF, 358KB)A. J. Brown and Marika Donkin doi

Part I

  1. The incidence and significance of whistleblowing (PDF, 584KB)A. J. Brown, Evalynn Mazurski and Jane Olsen doi
  2. Who blows the whistle, who doesn’t and why? (PDF, 272KB)Richard Wortley, Peter Cassematis and Marika Donkin doi
  3. How do officials report? Internal and external whistleblowing (PDF, 276KB)Marika Donkin, Rodney Smith and A. J. Brown doi
  4. The good, the bad and the ugly: whistleblowing outcomes (PDF, 370KB)Rodney Smith and A. J. Brown doi
  5. Whistleblower mistreatment: identifying the risks (PDF, 317KB)A. J. Brown and Jane Olsen doi

Part II

  1. Support for whistleblowing among managers: exploring job satisfaction and awareness of obligations (PDF, 602KB)Paul Mazerolle and A. J. Brown doi
  2. Investigations: improving practice and building capacity (PDF, 235KB)Margaret Mitchell doi
  3. Internal witness support: the unmet challenge (PDF, 199KB)A. J. Brown and Jane Olsen doi
  4. Evaluating agency responses: comprehensiveness and the impact of whistleblowing procedures (PDF, 273KB)Peter Roberts doi
  5. Best-practice whistleblowing legislation for the public sector: the key principles (PDF, 212KB)A. J. Brown, Paul Latimer, John McMillan and Chris Wheeler doi
  6. Project findings: an agenda for action (PDF, 157KB)A. J. Brown and Chris Wheeler doi

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