The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID Act) promotes accountability and integrity in the Commonwealth public sector by creating a framework which:

  • encourages the disclosure of information about suspected wrongdoings
  • protects people who make disclosures from adverse consequences
  • requires agencies to take action on disclosures.

CRDC is committed to maintaining a workplace in which current and former staff can disclose information about suspected wrongdoing without fear of reprisal, and in which such disclosures are properly dealt with.

What is a public interest disclosure?

A Public Interest Disclosure is a report, made by a public official, of a suspected wrongdoing in the Commonwealth public sector, including within CRDC. Current and former CRDC employees, contractors, and service providers (and their employees) are considered public officials for the purposes of making a Public Interest Disclosure.

The authorised officer, being the CRDC Executive Director from time to time, can also deem an individual to be a public official if they reasonably believe an individual has information about wrongdoing and proposes to make a disclosure.

Disclosures can be made about conduct by an agency (including CRDC) or public official which:

  • contravenes a law in Australia or a foreign country;
  • is corrupt;
  • perverts, or is intended to pervert, the course of justice;
  • results in waste of public funds or property;
  • is an abuse of public trust;
  • unreasonably endangers, or increases the risk of danger to, health and safety or the environment;
  • is fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, deception or misconduct relating to scientific research, analysis, evaluation or advice; or
  • is maladministration, including conduct that is based on improper motives, unreasonable, unjust, oppressive or negligent;
  • involves, or is engaged in for the purpose of, an abuse by a public official of their position; or
  • which could, if proved, give reasonably grounds for termination of the public official’s engagement or appointment.

Making a public interest disclosure

You can make your disclosure verbally or in writing. It is not necessary for you to assert that it is a Public Interest Disclosure in order to qualify for protection under the PID Act.

Importantly, anyone can make a disclosure to the CRDC authorised officer. However, only public officials are entitled to protection under the PID Act, unless an authorised officer to whom a person is making a disclosure determines that the PID Act and its protections apply.

In most circumstances, disclosures should be made at first instance to: 

  • the CRDC Executive Director (authorised officer); or
  • your supervisor or manager within CRDC (who must pass it to the authorised officer).

You can also make your disclosure to the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

In certain, limited circumstances, you can make your disclosure to persons other than those identified above. For more information on External Disclosures, Emergency Disclosures and Legal Practitioner Disclosures, and for information about your options for reporting in unusual circumstances, please refer to the Commonwealth Ombudsman's guide: Speaking up about wrongdoing.

To lodge an internal disclosure or make an enquiry regarding CRDC’s PID scheme please contact the CRDC Executive Director via phone, post, or via this form.

Phone: 02 6792 4088
Post: Executive Director
Cotton Research & Development Corporation
PO Box 282
Narrabri NSW 2390
NB: Please mark your correspondence as ‘private and confidential.’

Information to include in your disclosure

Depending on your circumstances you should consider providing as many of the following details as possible in your disclosure to help us determine how to proceed:

  • your name and contact details (recommended)
  • the nature of the Disclosable Conduct
  • who you think engaged in the  Disclosable Conduct
  • when and where the Disclosable Conduct occurred
  • relevant circumstances surrounding the Disclosable Conduct
  • if you did anything in response to the Disclosable Conduct
  • others who know about the Disclosable Conduct and have allowed it to continue
  • whether you believe your information is a Public Interest Disclosure under the PID Act (you do not have to state that your information is a Public Interest Disclosure for it to be considered as such, but it will assist the agency if you do)
  • if you are concerned about possible reprisal as a result of making your disclosure.

Be clear and factual. Avoid speculation, personal attacks and emotive language as they divert attention from the Disclosable Conduct itself. If you have any supporting information, such as correspondence, documents, files, notes or a diary of events, you should provide these along with your disclosure. You can also include the names of any people who witnessed the Disclosable Conduct or who may be able to verify what you are saying. You should not investigate a matter yourself before making the disclosure because this may hinder any future investigation. You do not need to prove the Disclosable Conduct to be true, but just reasonably believe that the information you have tends to demonstrate Disclosable Conduct.

Can I remain anonymous?

Yes, you can make an anonymous disclosure or use a pseudonym. Identifying yourself enables us to provide you with the protections, support and updates you are entitled to receive. Providing your details also allows investigators to contact you to clarify details of your disclosure or ask for any new information. We have the discretion not to investigate if you do not provide you name and contact details or are unable to give further information or assistance if it is needed.

Protections for disclosers, potential disclosers and witnesses

You cannot be subject to any civil, criminal or administrative liability (including disciplinary action) for making a disclosure in accordance with the PID Act, provided that you do not make any knowingly false or misleading statements in doing so. No contract to which you are a party can be terminated on the basis that your disclosure is a breach of contract. You remain liable for your own conduct. By making a disclosure you do not gain immunity from investigation of your own role in any wrongdoing.

You are protected against reprisal for making a disclosure or providing assistance in the course of an investigation. It is an offence for any person to cause you any detriment because they suspect or believe that you made, or will make a Public Interest Disclosure. Detriment includes any disadvantage to you, including dismissal, injury, discrimination or alteration of your position to your disadvantage. The PID Act protections never expire.

Your identity will be kept strictly confidential in most circumstances. It is an offence for any person to disclose information which is likely to identify you as a person who made a Public Interest Disclosure without your consent, subject to a few limited exceptions. 

Further information

CRDC’s authorised officer will assess any Public Interest Disclosure they receive and, if appropriate, investigate it in accordance with the requirements under the PID Act. 

The Commonwealth Ombudsman's Office is responsible for oversight of the PID Scheme. They have published a series of guides and fact sheets. If you are concerned about making a PID directly to CRDC, you can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s Office to discuss your options by using the contact details on this webpage.