Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS WHISTLEBLOWER HOTLINE?
The Australian Red Cross Whistleblower Hotline is an independent and confidential service available to receive information relating to improper conduct, unlawful or unethical behaviour and supports Australian Red Cross’s values, Fundamental Principles and Ethical Framework.
WHAT CAN BE REPORTED?
Any breaches of the Ethical Framework, related policies, and issues that may adversely affect Australian Red Cross.This may include any criminal offence, breach of legal obligation, unsafe behaviour, harassment or bullying. (See Whistleblower policy for full details)
WHY IS AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS INTRODUCING THIS SERVICE?
Australian Red Cross believes that all Red Cross People and other stakeholders should be able to assist in ensuring Australian Red Cross maintains its status as an ethical business. Australian Red Cross is adopting best practice in this aspect of corporate governance and will be compliant with international and Australian corporate governance standards.
HOW DO I MAKE A REPORT?
Australian Red Cross has engaged an independent consultant to manage the receipt, recording and reporting of serious misconduct. STOPline is an independent, confidential and impartial conduit for information that enables the reporting of corrupt or improper conduct. STOPline has people experienced in handling sensitive information from stakeholders. Details of how you can make contact are listed below.
WHO IS STOPLINE?
STOPline is an Australian company which specialises in providing integrity/whistleblowing services. It has been operating for over a decade and assists listed and private companies; local, state and Commonwealth public sector bodies and not-for-profit organisations. Further details are available at www.stopline.com.au
DO I HAVE TO GIVE MY NAME?
No. Your call to STOPline can, if you wish, be anonymous and the staff of STOPline will not ask for any personal details. You may volunteer the information anonymously to STOPline if you desire or you can be overt. If you do not wish to remain anonymous, this information may be provided to the Disclosure Officer at Australian Red Cross. If you choose to remain anonymous STOPline will issue a confidential reference and password should you wish to seek the status of your disclosure at some later date. Some legislation (e.g. Corporations Act in Australia) will only provide legislative protection if the caller identifies themselves. STOPline can assist at the time of your contact.
IF I MAKE A COMPLAINT REGARDING SUSPECTED MISCONDUCT, HOW WILL I BE PROTECTED?
Australian Red Cross is committed to the protection of genuine Whistleblowers against action taken in reprisal for the making of protected disclosures. Maintaining confidentiality is a crucial component of this protection. All disclosures will be treated with a high level of confidentiality. Australian Red Cross has appointed STOPline to enhance confidentiality and anonymity within Australian Red Cross with respect to Whistleblower procedures.
HOW DOES THE STOPLINE WORK?
STOPline enables Australian Red Cross People to report in good faith, suspected misconduct via telephone, email, internet, facsimile or mail, to an independent organisation with trained staff who will receive your concerns confidentially (anonymously if you wish) and provide the confidential information to the Disclosure Officer at Australian Red Cross. The program then places procedural requirements on dealing with and finalising the outcome of the disclosure.
WHO AND WHAT IS THE DISCLOSURE OFFICER?
A person within Australian Red Cross is responsible for ensuring that all serious complaints are handled appropriately. The Disclosure Officer is responsible for Australian Red Cross’s role in managing disclosures and being the contact point for both STOPline and the Australian Red Cross Board. This consists of Ben Brandon, Industrial Relations Specialist.
WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT THE STOPLINE?
You can contact the STOPline when you have knowledge of any fraudulent, corrupt, unlawful or unethical conduct by Red Cross People and/or contractor.
AT WHAT TIME CAN I CONTACT THE STOPLINE?
You can telephone the STOPline on 1300 30 45 50 (in Australia) or +61 3 9811 3275 (overseas – reverse charges) during business hours (0800 – 2000 Mon – Fri AEST) to speak with a trained STOPline interviewer. Any messages left will be responded to within one working day. You can also send your disclosure via the internet (this website), email, facsimile or mail.
HOW DO I KNOW THAT SOMEBODY WON’T JUST MAKE SOME FALSE CLAIM TO SETTLE A PERSONAL GRUDGE?
The strength of STOPline is that all allegations will be professionally managed by trained STOPline staff. The experience of STOPline is that vexatious calls occur very infrequently. STOPline focuses on the message, not the messenger. The Disclosure Officer may decline to investigate the matter if satisfied that the disclosure is trivial, frivolous or vexatious.
WILL I BE KEPT INFORMED ABOUT THE RESULT OF MAKING A REPORT?
Yes. You will be kept advised about the status of the report, decisions made regarding how the matter is to be handled, timeframes that apply and the result of any investigation and action taken. If you choose to remain anonymous, you will be issued with a confidential reference and password and must initiate contact through one of the methods above to receive feedback.
IF I MAKE A REPORT, AM I LIABLE IN ANYWAY?
A person who has no involvement in the reported misconduct, but who reports the misconduct, can choose to be anonymous or known to STOPline staff. They do not have to declare their identity to Australian Red Cross. However, to obtain the current protections for whistleblowers under the Corporations Act, they must identify themselves to at least STOPline prior to making the disclosure. The Corporations Act then protects them from recriminations, reprisals or retaliation (such as termination or slander) for having made the disclosure.
Where a person who makes a disclosure is implicated in the misconduct, Australian Red Cross will use all reasonable efforts to protect the individual from reprisals; however, the act of reporting improper conduct may not shield the person from the reasonable consequences flowing from any involvement in serious misconduct. Depending on the misconduct and the level of proved involvement, Australian Red Cross has the discretion to pursue the perpetrators, but may choose to provide immunity (or a greater level of protection) for the initial whistleblower.
WHERE ELSE CAN I OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOTLINE SERVICE AND RELATED POLICIES?
Full details are available on Australian Red Cross’s intranet site.