I want my say
The Commissioner for Public Interest Disclosures welcomes all information that may assist an investigation. If you are concerned that the Commissioner has not got the full story, you are encouraged to let us know that you have information that may be of assistance.
If the Commissioner believes there is substance to any allegation made against you, you will be made aware of the nature of the allegation and given the chance respond. Even if the Commissioner does not agree with you, your point of view will be fairly represented in the reports that follow an investigation.
If you wish to have a lawyer or support person present when you are interviewed, you should make this request to the Commissioner or Commissioner’s staff. You are not entitled to a lawyer or support person, however the Commissioner is likely to allow your request unless there are specific reasons not to. Some reasons the request could be refused is if:
- the interview needs to be conducted urgently;
- if you have had reasonable time to arrange for a lawyer or support person to be present but have not put adequate effort into making the necessary arrangements; or
- the lawyer or support person you have chose is unsuitable, for example because they are potentially a witness in the investigation.
Note that it may be a condition of the lawyer or support person being present that they sign a confidentiality agreement.