Illusions of whistleblower protection

B. Martin, University of Wollongong

Article comments

This article was originally published as: Martin, B, Illusions of whistleblower protection, UTS Law Review, 2003, 5, 119-130.

Abstract

The most common response to the problems facing whistleblowers is to suggest better whistleblower legislation. Yet it is remarkable how ineffectual such legislation is. Not only are whistleblower laws flawed through exemptions and in-built weaknesses, but in their implementation they are rarely helpful. Indeed, it might be said that whistleblower laws give only the appearance of protection, creating an illusion that is dangerous for whistleblowers who put their trust in law rather than developing skills to achieve their goals more directly.