Renewed push for whistleblowing legislation

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 10:55

By Harry Booth

A Jersey Deputy is pushing again to get a whistleblowing law passed.

Politicians agreed more than three years ago to introduce new whistleblowing legislation, but it has not come into force.

A public consultation ran in late 2024, with the Employment Forum publishing its report and recommendations in June 2025.

A new law was drawn up earlier this year, with the previous Social Security Minister, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, saying there is a 'clear need' for legislation that gives people the confidence to speak out without fear of reprisal.

However, when asked about progress in Scrutiny last week, the new Minister, Senator Elaine Millar, said more work was needed, and that it isn't a priority for her, compared to other issues like addressing the cost of living.

The politician who won the vote in 2023 for this legislation, Deputy Carina Alves, then told Channel 103 that she would explore what parliamentary mechanisms she could use to bring this legislation forward.

In the proposition, Deputy Alves said:

"The Minister should consider the draft and identify any specific changes she believes are necessary. I find it difficult to accept that this legislation should be put aside when the substantive work has already been completed.

"As I said in response to the announcement: "We do not need more delay. We do not need more consultation. We need action. Plain and simple."

"Any final feedback should be addressed as part of completing the legislation for lodging. The work undertaken by the Forum, the previous Minister, and officers should enable that to happen within a clear and reasonable timeframe."

Her new proposition asks for the published draft legislation to be finalised and lodged by the end of January 2027.

Deputy Alves added:

"I believe this deadline is reasonable because the substantive work has been done.

"The Minister is being asked to complete the remaining steps needed to put an existing draft before the Assembly."