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 No help for Orkopoulos whistleblower Gillian Sneddon 

No help for Orkopoulos whistleblower Gillian Sneddon

21 Nov, 2009 04:00 AM
GILLIAN Sneddon has officially fallen through the cracks in the system.

She helped police put her former boss, Swansea MP Milton Orkopoulos, in jail for child sex offences, but NSW Deputy Ombudsman Chris Wheeler has confirmed what Ms Sneddon already knew there is nowhere she can turn for help about her treatment as a whistleblower.

"I recognise you have serious concerns about what occurred," he said in a letter after investigating her case.

"However, upon reviewing the facts of your case I have come to the conclusion that we cannot assist you."

It comes five days before Maitland MP Frank Terenzini tables the NSW Government's report into the gaps in the system protecting public service whistleblowers.

Ms Sneddon knows them all.

No government agency, including the Ombudsman, can investigate how Ms Sneddon came to be locked out of Orkopoulos's Swansea office, at his request, while he was being investigated by police, because Ms Sneddon did not report directly to the clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Russell Grove, as required under the Protected Disclosures Act.

This was despite Mr Grove being told of her disclosure.

The requirements of the act mean the NSW Police Force and Independent Commission Against Corruption are unable to investigate any detrimental action taken against Ms Sneddon between October 2005, when she first raised child sex allegations with Orkopoulos, and October 2006, when she was locked out of his office a month before he was charged.

Her sacking, on the day she gave evidence against him in court, could not be seen as detrimental action because the new Swansea MP, Robert Coombs, said he did not want Ms Sneddon on his staff, and "the Legislative Assembly had no choice but to terminate your employment", Mr Wheeler said.

Eighteen months after Orkopoulos was jailed, Ms Sneddon remains unemployed and fighting a worker's compensation case against the Government.

NSW Opposition MP Peter Debnam said it was a scandal.

"It's clearly inappropriate to say that all protection rests on the whistleblower knowing where to disclose," he said.

"It clearly should be for managers to invoke the protections.

"At best, this is a case of Gillian Sneddon falling through every crack in the system; at worst, that the system worked against her."

Ms Sneddon said she had taken responsibility when Mr Orkopoulos's victims sought her help and when police asked for help.

"At what point is someone going to take responsibility for what's happened to me?" she said.

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she did everything right and is the best person to go to parliament to ensure that doing the right thing is to be encouraged and not be punished in the future. Who needs a drop kick that cant get that? Only a bunch of rat bags would not get it as well? On behalf of the total community I would like to thank you Gillian for the brave thing you did. I hope that your suffering can come to some good as it should not be wasted. We need more people like you in the system as them we all would be safer... especially our children. Why the system wants to be seen as stupid, self serving and currupt for the life of me I cannot understand. It will be the reason for its change -- obviously. If the ones that are there cant do that, they should get out of the way and allow someone to be there that can make the right changes. They alone have that choice -if they are capable of seeing it? The present system and its masters can choose ?
Posted by electher, 21/11/2009 5:20:19 AM
What would you expect from the NSW Labor? There attitude has been how dare she out one of there ministers. The fact is the NSW Labor are as thick as thieves and not until they are kicked out of office will the people of NSW be happy. They have done nothing for Gillian Sneddon or the state of NSW. ANYONE that votes for Labor at the next NSW election really has been walking around with there eyes and ears closed. There is not one of them that should be allowed back in to parliament.To keep whistle blowers quite is the reason behind their treatment of Gillian Sneddon.
Posted by BJ, 21/11/2009 6:28:00 AM
Does the Clerk for the Legislative Assembly have to be notified so it can be covered up or to warn the offender that he/she is likely to be investigated by the police.It is bloody obvious that the government dont like things brought out into the open. If you don't know about it, it doesn't happen.Grow some balls Mr. Rees and look after the woman like she deserves for getting scum like that out of our government or is there more like him there still
Posted by disclosure, 21/11/2009 6:49:35 AM
If Ms.Sneddon was working in private industry and a new manager was appointed and he sacked her 'because he did not want her' then I am sure a union would have put their head up to fight her case.
Posted by thinkitthrough, 21/11/2009 7:39:18 AM
This is a scandal for Gillian, who has been through hell because of her determination not to ignore the complaints of young men about their abuse and to ensure that the police were able to properly investigate them in the extremely difficult world of politics. But it is also a scandal for the people of Swansea, the Hunter and NSW who need an explanation as to how she came to be removed, after revealing herself as a witness, in the legislative body of our state and why in three years the NSW Government does not consider that this a prime case for a proper inquiry where the evidence is actually addressed. Note readers that getting rid of Gillian was at the request of a person then known to be under criminal investigation, and that happened because he was told of her police assistance. Who has been questioned about this? The ICAC Committee report will not address her case because they declined to hear from her, probably on account of the political embarassment which her evidence could deliver, but it has worked well to stifle any discussion of the facts for eighteen months! Take responsibility now Mr Rees for Gillian and for this disgraceful episode.
Posted by Linda Michalak, 21/11/2009 7:40:45 AM
Swept under the carpet by a very fearful system!
Posted by Bigfeller, 21/11/2009 7:41:39 AM
It was obvious that there would be no successful outcome, and I don't know why Gillian Sneddon even bothered pursuing it. I'm surprised that another political party hasn't sought her out as a possible candidate for the next state election, given her perceived, political martyr status, or that Gillian Sneddon hasn't considered running as an independant. What's that old saying; "Don't Get Mad, Get Even".
Posted by Helen, 21/11/2009 8:41:39 AM
This affair has truly shown if you know a person who is important like a Government Minister. Using drugs to assist in committing gross indecencies on young boys; do not say anything to anyone! How low has this Labor Party sunk?. All the patronising arrogant smiles from ALP State Government Ministers is so insulting. Call and election! Get out!
Posted by old boy, 21/11/2009 8:50:47 AM
If someone does wrong he should be penalised. If he does the right thing he should be congratulated. However, if he does the right thing which brings senior manager of a private company, Government department, or politician before the court he is treated like dirt. Those people for some strange reason are called whistle blowers. They get no assistance, and often they are sacked from their jobs. This is an indirect way of trying to protect the criminals. If I ever come across wrong doing in my Government job I will ignore it, otherwise the results could be disastrous for me and my family. Gillian Sneddon helped police put her former boss, Swansea MP Milton Orkopoulos, in jail for child sex offences. The requirements of the Protected Disclosures Act mean the N.S.W. Police Force and Independent Commission Against Corruption are unable to investigate any detrimental action taken against Ms Sneddon. This act is an attempt to protect the criminals in official positions. Disgusting!
Posted by Arthur, 21/11/2009 9:07:28 AM
Gillian, I would think that none of the pollies will help you out, why, because they are frightened of you. You might happen to see something, and then set the hounds onto them. It doesn't matter what side of the political fence you're on when it comes to someone they cannot control. I'm think they will stick together on this problem. What I cannot understand is why someone in the private sector hasn't come to your door offering employment.
Posted by Geppy, 21/11/2009 9:31:16 AM
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 UNFAIR: Gillian Sneddon: At what point is someone going to take responsibility for what's happened to me?- Picture by Kitty Hill
UNFAIR: Gillian Sneddon: "At what point is someone going to take responsibility for what's happened to me?"- Picture by Kitty Hill

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