Whistleblower Hotline Services in Victoria
Whistleblower Hotline Service Provider in Victoria, Australia
Whistleblowing has become a crucial component of maintaining the integrity of organisations and promoting accountability, and it is especially relevant in Victoria where there is a strong commitment to transparency and ethical conduct.
The basics of whistleblowing: Whistleblowing refers to the act of reporting any illegal, unethical, or harmful behaviour within an organisation. It is a brave act that can be done by anyone who witnesses such behaviour, regardless of their position within the organisation. Whistleblowers play a crucial role in exposing corruption, protecting the public interest, and maintaining the integrity of organisations.
In Victoria, whistleblowers are protected under the Protected Disclosures Act 2012, which provides legal protection to individuals who report misconduct. The act also provides guidance on the procedures that must be followed when making a disclosure, including who to report to and the steps that must be taken to ensure the safety of the whistleblower.
Why use Core Integrity?
An independent and external hotline provider like Core Integrity provides your organisation with:
- The Capacity (receive reports around the clock to triage/assess and provide advice),
- The Capability (experience to speak with people, elicit information etcetera),
- and Consistency (by following set SOPs and providing a high-quality experience).
We call this our 3C’s.
We also have a secure technology platform that allows people to report both confidentially and anonymously. Anonymous whistleblowers can remain anonymous throughout the reporting process using our technology but also engage in the process, receive updates, and provide further information. Additionally, using a company like Core Integrity also helps provide advice to design and manage your whistleblower program to help reduce or minimise the risk of breaching the legislation.
Protect your most valuable assets with our industry-leading whistleblower hotline program.
Protect your most valuable assets with our industry-leading whistleblower hotline program.
Whistleblowing can be done in a variety of ways
One of the key things to know about whistleblowing in Victoria is that it can be done in a variety of ways. Whistleblowers can report misconduct to their superiors, to internal reporting mechanisms within the organisation, or to external bodies such as regulatory agencies or the media. The key is to ensure that the information is reported to the right people and in a manner that ensures the safety of the whistleblower.
We provide our clients with 5 reporting channels:
- Telephone,
- Email,
- Normal mail,
- QR code, dedicated website URL.
It is also important to understand that whistleblowers are protected against retaliation. This means that organisations cannot take any adverse action against individuals who make a protected disclosure, such as firing them, demoting them, or harassing them. Organisations that engage in retaliation against whistleblowers face serious consequences, including fines and imprisonment.
Whistleblowing not limited to the public sector
Another important thing to know about whistleblowing in Victoria is that it is not limited to public sector organisations. The Protected Disclosures Act applies to all organisations, regardless of size or sector, and individuals can make disclosures about any type of misconduct, including fraud, corruption, and abuse of power.
It is also worth noting that whistleblowers do not need to have concrete evidence to make a disclosure. They simply need to have a reasonable belief that misconduct has occurred. This is important because it allows whistleblowers to report their concerns without fear of retribution, and it encourages organisations to investigate and address any misconduct that has been reported.
Promoting transparency and accountability in Victoria
In addition to the Protected Disclosures Act, there are other mechanisms in place in Victoria to promote transparency and accountability. For example, the Victorian Ombudsman provides independent oversight of public sector agencies, and the Victorian Auditor-General provides independent assurance to the public about the use of public resources. These institutions play a crucial role in ensuring that organisations are held accountable for their actions and that the public’s trust in the government is maintained.
Whistleblowers play a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability in organisations, and it is essential for individuals to understand the importance of their role and the protections that are in place to support them. The Protected Disclosures Act, in conjunction with other mechanisms such as the Victorian Ombudsman and the Victorian Auditor-General, provides a robust framework for promoting transparency and accountability in Victoria.
It is my hope that this discussion has helped to shed light on the important things to know about whistleblowing in Victoria and has
Employees are encouraged to speak out when they witness misconduct. By doing so, they can ensure that organisations are held accountable for their actions and that the public interest is protected.
We help organisations in Queensland respond to instances of fraud and employee misconduct the right way - the first time
Whistleblower legislation in Victoria
Whistleblower legislation refers to the laws and regulations that govern the reporting of misconduct within organisations and provide protection to individuals who make disclosures. These laws aim to encourage individuals to speak out about illegal, unethical, or harmful behaviour and to protect them from retaliation for doing so.
In Victoria, the primary piece of legislation that governs whistleblowing is the Protected Disclosures Act 2012. This act provides a framework for making protected disclosures, including guidelines on who to report to and the procedures that must be followed to ensure the safety of the whistleblower. The act also provides strong protections against retaliation, including fines and imprisonment for organisations that engage in such actions.
We provide a Whistleblower Hotline Service to organisations in:
Results we’ve achieved for clients
Developing a tailored Speak Up Integrity Hotline program for Bingo Industries
We partnered with Bingo Industries as an integrity-risk partner to develop and implement a Speak Up Integrity Hotline that supported Bingo’s values of working honestly and ethically.
