Breaking: Today we’re in court supporting whistleblowers

When Richard Boyle was working for the Australian Tax Office, he witnessed how aggressive and unethical debt recovery practices were ruining the lives of small business owners. First, he spoke up internally, and then to the tax ombudsman. When nothing was done to fix the problem, he went to the media as a last resort.

When people like Richard expose government wrongdoing, they make Australia a better place. Independent inquiries have vindicated his concerns; the tax office has reformed its practices as a result. But Richard has spent the past six years facing prosecution.

Today, we are in court intervening in a landmark appeal from an earlier ruling that Richard’s whistleblowing was not protected by federal whistleblowing law. The Human Rights Law Centre is participating as a friend of the court, providing independent, expert legal submissions.

This is an important day for truth and transparency in this country. The appeal could end Richard’s prosecution and determine the scope of legal protections for all Australian whistleblowers.

By exposing human rights abuses, government wrongdoing and corporate misdeeds, whistleblowers ensure transparency, accountability and justice. That’s why we’re advocating for stronger whistleblowing laws and the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Authority.

We are also launching the Whistleblower Project – Australia’s first expert legal support service for people who speak up when they witness wrongdoing. With your support, we will keep working to ensure Australia’s whistleblowers are protected, not punished.

Thanks for standing with us.

Kieran Pender
Senior Lawyer
Human Rights Law Centre