Independent candidate for Cowper, Caz Heise, has announced that if elected, securing stronger  whistleblower protections will be a key priority, saying they are critical to both exposing and deterring corruption.

“You can’t fight corruption if those who witness it don’t feel safe to speak out. But in Australia, the laws meant to protect whistleblowers are broken,” Caz said.

“Stronger protections for whistleblowers won’t just help expose corruption, but will deter it from happening in the first place.”

“There is a solution on the table. A Whistleblower Protection Authority is the missing piece in Australia’s anti-corruption framework and needs to be established without delay.”

“People in Cowper want to see more done to stamp out corruption and are tired of the major parties delaying reform and breaking promises. That’s why if I’m elected, the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Authority will be a top priority to help restore trust in our politics.” 

“In recent years, whistleblowers have helped expose government corruption, fossil fuel companies covering up oil spills, industrial-scale greenwashing, habitat destruction, and human rights abuses.”

“Whistleblowers were fundamental to securing the Royal Commissions into aged care and banking, both of which have led to significant shifts in how our society and Parliament view these issues.”

“Despite the clear public interest in protecting whistleblowers, Australia’s current laws fail to protect those who expose wrongdoing and corruption. Experts, including judges, agree that the existing laws are outdated, fragmented and riddled with inconsistencies.”

“Without an independent authority to enforce protections, whistleblowers face reprisals, including termination, discrimination, financial ruin, and even prison – all for speaking up and exposing wrongdoing.”

Independents on the crossbench have led the charge on integrity reform, including helping establish the National Anti-Corruption Commission and laying the groundwork for stronger whistleblower protections.

In February 2025, Senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie, along with MPs Andrew Wilkie and Helen Haines, introduced the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill. The Bill was developed with input from Transparency International Australia, the Human Rights Law Centre, and Griffith University, and addresses the core failings of the current framework. 

Caz has announced her full support for the Bill which is an essential first step on the road towards comprehensive whistleblower protection. Key features include:

• Establishing a body dedicated to supporting whistleblowers in Australia. A one-stop shop for disclosing wrongdoing. The Authority would receive and triage disclosures and refer them to relevant agencies, while ensuring protections for whistleblowers.

• Caseworker-style support and coordination of access to legal and psychological assistance.

• Enforcement powers to ensure people who speak up are protected and can seek remedies if harmed.

• Support and training for regulators and oversight agencies engaging with whistleblowers.

• A fully independent Commissioner with expertise, supported by advisory committees including civil society, unions, employers and whistleblowers.

Caz is also calling on the Federal Government to immediately drop the prosecution of ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle and to pardon imprisoned military whistleblower David McBride.

Statements attributable to Caz Heise 

“You can’t fight corruption if whistleblowers don’t feel safe to speak out. If elected, I look forward to joining these MPs on the crossbench in getting this critical piece of legislation passed by Parliament.”

“We know what needs to be done. There is a bill before Parliament right now that would help fix the system. Now we need action.”

“People in Cowper want to see more done to stamp out corruption, but the major parties have continued to kick the can down the road when it comes to protecting the people who expose it.” 

“In 2024, Australia imprisoned a whistleblower and dropped to its lowest ever ranking in the World Press Freedom Index. The need for whistleblowers has never been more urgent.”

Both major parties have previously signalled their support for a whistleblower protection authority. We just need the political will. 

“Independents on the crossbench have led the charge on integrity reform and laid the groundwork for stronger whistleblower protections. Independents will play a critical role in the next Parliament and with a Whistleblower Protection Authority at the top of the agenda, it’s within arms reach.”

“People are being prosecuted for doing the right thing. That’s not justice.”

Media background

According to the Human Rights Law Centre, as many as eight in ten whistleblowers face workplace retaliation for speaking up in the public interest. Some have faced prosecution and in 2024 a whistleblower was imprisoned.

While Australia has laws in place to protect whistleblowers who speak out in the public interest, they are not working. Instead, they are fragmented across multiple sectors and statutes, with no independent authority to enforce them. Current laws fail to protect public disclosures, particularly in sensitive areas like national security, and do not adequately cover indirect or collateral harm. Federal court judge Justice John Griffiths described the Public Interest Disclosure Act as ‘technical, obtuse, and intractable.’” 

In May 2024, David McBride was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for leaking documents that formed the basis of the ABC’s Afghan Files, exposing alleged war crimes by Australian special forces. McBride had first reported his concerns internally and to oversight bodies.

Richard Boyle, a former employee of the ATO, is currently facing criminal trial for raising concerns about the unethical use of debt collection powers against vulnerable people. After internal channels failed, he went to the ABC, believing he was protected under whistleblower laws. Instead, his home was raided in 2018 and he now faces likely prison time. His trial is set for November 2025.