The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has called on the Federal Government to express its support for the Public Service following instances in which powerful organisations have attempted to target individual Public Servants.
National Secretary of the CPSU, Nadine Flood said it was critical that Ministers supported the independence of the Public Service and allowed members to do their jobs well.
“This comes at a time when the Office of the Information Commissioner is reviewing whether releasing the names of Public Servants under Freedom of Information requests could risk Public Servants’ safety,” Ms Flood said.
Her comments were made after it was revealed that international mining giant Adani had sought the names of individual employees at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation involved in reviews of its groundwater management plans.
“Our members work hard every day to provide expertise to Government and services to the community,” Ms Flood said.
“All our members strive to meet the highest ethical standards and provide the right advice, particularly on complex matters like Adani, not the popular advice,” she said.
“If Public Servants know their details may be released, not only may the advice they give be compromised, their safety may be at risk.”
She said the ‘peace of mind’ of a large company like Adani paled in comparison to this.
“Public Servants deal daily with matters of national security, sensitive intelligence, crime, and family violence,” Ms Flood said.
“Releasing their names could expose them to potential compromise and could fundamentally undermine their safety and our security,” she said.
