Kroll emphasizes the urgent need for effective whistleblower systems in corporate Australia, citing recent scandals involving companies like Super Retail Group, Wisetech, MinRes and ANZ. Managing Director Gary Gill highlights the repercussions of neglecting whistleblowers, particularly in the gambling sector, where failures to address concerns have led to significant fallout.
Gill notes that many individuals felt it was unsafe to speak up due to inadequate support systems. He stresses the importance of a positive corporate culture and strong leadership in encouraging whistleblowing. The ongoing investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission into Super Retail Group underscores the legal risks companies face when they ignore whistleblower reports.
Kroll is expanding its services by establishing a whistleblower advisory practice, partnering with Thrive Integrity’s Lauren Witherdin, who points out that while personal issues have dominated recent whistleblowing cases, systemic problems such as bribery and corruption in offshore operations are also prevalent.
Witherdin emphasizes that effective whistleblowing requires board and senior management involvement, and she cautions against using standard HR processes to manage disclosures, as they need specialized handling. She observes a shift in corporate attitudes, with companies now recognizing that robust whistleblowing programs can prevent costly scandals rather than just serving as compliance measures.
An article on the subject was featured in The Australian.
