Department of Employment - Interview Consent Form - Interview into Possible Unauthorised Disclosure of Information

Sep 13, 2026

Interview consent form for an investigation by the Department of Employment into possible unauthorised disclosure of information associated with communications between the Office of Minister Abetz and the Department. It records participant acknowledgement of the interview’s purpose, scope under departmental procedures, rights regarding support persons, and consent to written and digital recording. It also outlines confidentiality obligations, legal duty to cooperate and answer truthfully, handling of draft records for review, and potential use and disclosure of provided information in resolving the matter and as required by law.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Interview Consent Form

Matter and purpose

Participant acknowledgements and rights

Recording, draft record review, and confidentiality

Use and disclosure of information

Signature and conclusion

Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Supplementary Budget Estimates 2014-2015 Cross Portfolio Department of Employment Question No. EM1585_ 15 Senator Lines asked on 23 October 2014 on proof Hansard page 15 Question Information provided to staff regarding investigation Senator LINES: So you met with them as a group. Did you provide any written information? Ms Rundle: I would need to check. We did not at the time of explaining that we were going to undertake the investigation. I do recall the investigator did provide some material to them prior to interviewing them. I would need to check that. Senator LINES: In that first group meeting, which was an information meeting, was CPM there? Ms Rundle: No. Senator LINES: If there is written material, can you make that available to the committee? Ms Rundle: Again, I would need to check whether any personal information was there. We will need to take that on notice....[Cont. pg](Cont. pg) 16 Senator LINES: You said earlier that you believe that CPM provided people with written documentation about their rights. Is that available to the committee? Ms Rundle: That is the piece of information that I will check for you. Answer The CPM investigator did provide documentation to employees prior to interviewing them and this is provided below. | INTERVIEW CONSENT FORM | | | --- | --- | | Matter: | Department of Employment: possible unauthorised disclosure of information. | | Interviewee name: | | | Date and Time: | | | Interview Place: | | SQ14-002136 PART 1. I acknowledge the following: 1. This interview is in connection with an investigation into possible misconduct by any Departmental employee as it relates to the unauthorised disclosure of information passed between the Office of Minister Abetz and the Department, as reported in the Australian newspaper on 24 and 25 March 2014. 2. The investigation will proceed in line with Departmental Procedures 1 for handling possible breaches of the APS Code of Conduct. 3. The interviewer’s role is to conduct an investigation and report the recommended findings to the delegate. The report may then be used by the Department for the purpose of making a decision on the matters raised. 4. As part of that investigation, the purpose of the interview is to access any information I may have about events relating to the possible misconduct. 5. The interviewer may also interview other persons in relation to this matter. 6. I am entitled to have a support person attend the interview if I choose. However, any support person cannot participate in the interview. 7. I can ask to have the interview suspended or terminated at anytime (e.g. to speak with my support person, comfort break or anyother reason) . 8. The interview will be conducted as informally as possible, and will include a series of structured questions. The interviewer may also ask supplementary questions to ensure his full understanding of my evidence. 1 ss. 15(3) of the Public Service Act 1999. | 9. The interviewer will provide a draft record of interview to me as soon as practicable after the interview for my review and signature (if I agree) . The signed record will then form part of the supporting material for the investigation and report.
10. The interviewer will take notes and also digitally record the interview (to assist in the preparation of an accurate statement) . Everything that I say will be on the record.
11. The information I provide may be disclosed and/or used by the Department in connection with resolving the matter and/or as required by law. Anything I say that relates to another person maybe shown to that other person and to other affected parties interviewed during the course of this investigation. My identity maybe disclosed to other affected parties during the course of this investigation unless there are stated and lawful reasons for protecting my identity.
12. The matter must be treate

FAQs

What is the investigation in this interview consent form about?

It concerns possible unauthorised disclosure of information connected to communications between the Office of Minister Abetz and the Department.

Can a support person attend the interview?

Yes, a support person may attend if the participant chooses, but the support person cannot participate in the interview.

How will the interview be recorded and what happens after?

The interviewer will take notes and digitally record the interview. A draft record of interview will be provided to the participant for review and signature, and the signed record becomes supporting material.

Sep 13, 2026

Uploaded by Olivia Brown