South Australia’s Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 was introduced to better encourage and facilitate disclosures of information in the public interest.

Almost 7 years have passed since this legislation came into force. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has embarked on a major project to examine whether South Australia’s whistleblower protection regime is adequate and effective, or whether changes should be made.

All interested in this important topic – public officers and leaders in public administration, politicians, members of the media, integrity and transparency advocates and academics, past or prospective whistleblowers – are invited to participate in an online Whistleblower Public Forum on Wednesday 29 April.

 “Giving good people the confidence to come forward when something isn’t right should be a foundation of our democracy.”                                                                                                                                           – Frank O’Toole, event panellist, former whistleblower and member of Transparency International Australia’s National Whistleblowing Advisory Group.

About the Public Forum  

Join us at 1.30pm Wednesday 29 April to hear a panel of expert speakers from across Australia discuss issues identified through ICAC’s research to date.

There will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions. Questions touching on specific conduct should not be raised at the Public Forum, including due to legislated confidentiality restrictions. Audience members are encouraged to share themes and suggestions arising from their experiences in a general way.

Learn about our speakers

Dr Gabrielle Appleby

Professor at the Faculty of Law and Justice at University of New South Wales, Head of Research at the Centre for Public Integrity

Gabrielle is a professor of public law at the University of New South Wales and the Research Director at the Centre for Public Integrity. Through her research and advocacy, Gabrielle has shaped national understanding of executive accountability, judicial integrity, and parliamentary practice.

Vanessa Burrows

Director of the Office for Public Integrity SA

Vanessa commenced in the public sector as a law graduate in 2006 as a Judge’s associate in the District Court in South Australia. She spent almost 15 years as a prosecutor in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in various roles, including solicitor work, trial counsel work and acting in positions managing legal staff. Vanessa commenced at the Office for Public Integrity as Assistant Director in 2022. She was appointed Acting Director in January 2025 before being appointed formally to the role for a 3 year term in March 2025.

Anneliese Cooper

Lawyer with Human Rights Law Centre’s Whistleblower Project

Anneliese is a lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre’s Whistleblower Project where she advises current and prospective whistleblowers on their legal rights and obligations, and contributes to the Centre’s law reform work.

Tom Millett

Deputy Ombudsman (NSW) responsible for Public Interest Disclosures and Complaints Handling Systems Oversight

Tom commenced as a Deputy Ombudsman in September 2025. Tom has worked in the office since 2006, with a period at the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission from 2021–23. He has worked across a range of areas, including police oversight, project and corporate roles and as Executive Officer to 2 former Ombudsman. Most recently, he was the Manager of the Complaints Handling System Review Unit.

Frank O’Toole

former whistleblower, member of Transparency International Australia’s National Whistleblowing Advisory Group.

Frank started his career in the Australian Federal Police. After twelve years investigating organised and transnational crime and police corruption, Frank joined the consulting industry where he spent over thirty years working across sectors in identifying the risk of wrongdoing, investigating it when it happened, and developing programs to prevent it. Frank has worked with hundreds of whistleblowers and has a strong desire to see that we learn from the mistakes organisations and governments have made and to ensure that those with a commitment to seeing that wrongs are righted are properly supported.

Event brought to you by

IPAA SA
Independent Commission Against Corruption SA

Date
Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Time
1:00 PM ACST (Live Stream Link Opens)
1:30 PM ACST (Forum Begins)

Location
Online (Access details will be emailed to registered attendees prior to the event)

Costs
Free