Competition

• Ask anyone, from the public servants who tried to speak up against Robodebt, to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, again at the front end of whistleblower protection reforms.
• This is particularly salient as the federal government consults on how to better protect whistleblowers in the public sector, including contractors.
• This is why many years of research support the need for a dedicated Whistleblower Protection Authority to fully enforce our “speak up” laws, irrespective of what improved protections they contain.

1. The agency must actually protect whistleblowers

• Several federal bodies have the task of fighting wrongdoing and ensuring integrity, including the new National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
• Of these weak or missing roles, the most important are powers to independently investigate claims of detriment or vengeful harm to whistleblowers, and to ensure remedies are found.

2. Capture the financial benefits of whistleblowing

• Our research found that even in deserving cases, more than half (56%) of public-interest whistleblowers are suffering serious direct or indirect repercussions.
• This is despite the huge benefits whistleblowers bring to government and taxpayers by uncovering wrongdoing, including financial benefits through penalties imposed, court settlements or money saved.
• A whistleblowing agency needs full resources to support whistleblowers in compensation claims, provide legal assistance, and mediate with agencies to secure remedies.

3. Protect whistleblowers across all sectors

• And even when it comes to revealing public sector wrongdoing, many whistleblowers are located in private companies that deliver government contracts.
• Our research shows great similarities in how reports of wrongdoing are handled between the sectors.

4. Ensure agencies respond properly to whistleblowers

• Our best guess is that perhaps only 10% of actual Commonwealth whistleblowers are being identified as such under the current public interest disclosure regime.
• Upwards of 1,200 public officials who need support and protection every year are not even on the radar.
• A Whistleblower Protection Authority will close these gaps by checking how well agencies are recognising disclosures and being an independent doorway where whistleblowers can go confidentially for guidance and support.

5. An independent, standalone body

• The crucial thing is for whistleblower protection to be recognised as a standalone job.
• It must have an independent statutory commissioner supported by adequate resources and staff, who cannot be diverted onto other jobs.
• It’s time to get the design of this crucial body right.

• He was a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Expert Panel on Whistleblowing (2017-2019).
• He was also a proposed expert witness in public interest defence proceedings brought by David McBride.
• Jane Olsen has previously worked at the NSW Ombudsman and the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission.

• The global superstar Taylor Swift is bringing her Eras tour to Australia later this month, with sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne.
• With Swifties numbering in the thousands, fans who didn’t initially secure tickets are understandably desperate to find some.

The problem is ticket fraud

• In the case of Ticketek, electronic tickets are linked to the purchaser’s phone number to reduce fraud.
• Electronic ticketing aims to overcome a range of problems, such as counterfeit tickets, duplicate tickets and ticket scalping.
• When purchasing tickets, it can be difficult to know if it is an authentic website, a genuine ticket and a legitimate transaction.

Hacked accounts

• Some people have had their Ticketek accounts hacked, and offenders have been able to make transactions without the owner’s consent.
• However, victims soon find their family member or friend has had their account hacked.
• Recently, hackers gained unauthorised access to hotel provider accounts on the popular accommodation website Booking.com.

If I’d only played it safe

• But you can look out for warning signs and take steps to reduce the risk of fraud or being hacked.
• While customers are reporting long wait times and less than satisfactory user experiences right now, it is still the most likely place to have genuine tickets.
• While this will not prevent fraud, it does make it easier to report an incident or figure out what happened.
• Always confirm in person or over the phone with any known contacts who have messaged an offer or requested funds.
• With the prevalence of hacking into accounts, you may not be communicating with the person you think you are.

No one teaches you what to do

• You should also contact the platform through which you made the transaction (such as Ticketek Marketplace).
• If you need support or assistance for any compromise of your identity, contact iDcare.

Cassandra Cross has previously received funding from the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Cybersecurity Cooperative Research Centre.

• Market Overview: France's agricultural sector, known for its substantial contribution to the European agri-economy, is witnessing a paradigm shift with the integration of advanced technologies in farming equipment.
• The market's expansion is fueled by the growing need for mechanization and automation to enhance farm productivity and efficiency.
• The integration of smart technologies is set to redefine agricultural practices, making them more precise and less labor-intensive.
• Conclusion: France's Agri-Equipment Market is at a turning point, with technology playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of farming.