As a public servant working in Canberra, I feel strongly about whistleblower protection laws. Even for those who don't venture into the public arena and confine their whistleblowing within their respective workplace, the consequences are unbelievably harsh. Until there are adequate whistleblower protection laws, the vast majority of public servants who would otherwise wish to raise concerns, will remain silent and public interest issues (anything from waste, breaches, privacy issues and serious mismanagement) will remain hidden and the system will continue to allow perpetrators to continue unabated.