The Federal Government says it is strengthening whistleblower protections.

The government has introduced new legislation to amend current laws governing public sector whistleblowers.

The changes will introduce a “positive duty” to protect whistleblowers, including training and education, enhancing the oversight roles of the ombud and inspector-general of intelligence and security, and removing “solely personal work-related conduct from the scope of disclosable conduct”.

Attorney-general Mark Dreyfus says the government will also “consult widely” about establishing a whistleblower protection agency.

“We need people who see wrongdoing of any kind in our Australian government to report it and then they need to know that they’ll be protected against reprisal if they do report it,” Mr Dreyfus said. 

“It’s as simple as that.

“We want people who see wrongdoing to come forward with it, to tell their superiors and if their superiors won’t do anything about it, they should be able to go public with it and be protected.”

CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly has welcomed the reforms, but says whistleblowers must still be able to speak to the union and its representatives.

“While the CPSU welcomes reforms to protect whistleblowers, the government needs to urgently address the ability of those speaking out to seek advice and support from their union representatives,” Ms Donnelly said.

“Whistleblowers must be able to feel safe and protected in speaking out on integrity matters, and union representation is central to that.

“We know that speaking out on matters of public integrity can be stressful and complex — it is vital that everyone who is prepared to take that step can navigate the process with specialist advice and representation from their union representatives.”