In his latest bid for success in the South Australian election, former senator Nick Xenophon has pushed for better protection of public servant whistleblowers.

In the wake of the abuse unveiled at Families SA, the Department for Child Protection, and the Oakden aged care facility, Xenophon claimed that under his leadership, public servants who came forward and faced any sort of reprisal would be able to take criminal and civil action.

To help this proposed process along, Xenophon also stated that an independent SA whistleblower protection authority will be set up to investigate complaints.