This policy has been developed by Wellington Shire Council pursuant to section 58 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 (previously the Protected Disclosures Act 2012). The purpose of the amendments made to the Act is to make it easier to make disclosures of improper conduct by public officers, and public bodies, including Wellington Shire Council, its staff, employees and Councillors. The changes allow a broader range of disclosures to be made, provide for more independent expert bodies to investigate disclosures and introduce a flexible ‘no wrong door' approach to ensure disclosures aren't excluded because of non-compliance with complex procedures.