Report It Now launches whistleblowing platform in Australia

Report It Now has officially launched its operations in Australia, introducing its software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, EthicsPro, to the local market. The platform is designed to assist organisations in navigating the complex regulatory landscape surrounding whistleblowing and ethical conduct.

Recent high-profile cases have highlighted the risks and uncertainties organisations face in maintaining ethical operations and supporting whistleblowers. Craig McFarlane, director of Report It Now, stated, "We're helping Australian organisations protect themselves and their employees by providing compliant and effective anonymous whistleblowing channels, delivering ongoing ethical training for staff, and creating meaningful codes of ethics that genuinely help foster a culture of accountability."

A survey conducted by the Australia Institute found that 84% of Australians support stronger legal protections for whistleblowers. Furthermore, the number of whistleblower reports submitted to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) surged by 194% from FY2019 to FY2021, increasing from 278 to 817 reports.

Report It Now's EthicsPro product offers a comprehensive solution for ethical reporting. Features include confidential 24/7 hotlines for employees to report workplace misconduct anonymously and receive one-on-one support. The platform automates case management, ensuring discreet handling of reports by dedicated teams during investigations. It also provides automated benchmarking, analytics, and seamless access across mobile, desktop, and tablet devices.

Greg Dunn, fellow director at Report It Now, noted the critical need for such solutions. "The launch of Report It Now and the EthicsPro platform in Australia addresses a critical need for organisations looking to effectively manage ethical reporting, navigate regulatory uncertainties, mitigate risks, and foster open, honest workplaces," he said. Dunn also referenced notable cases such as those of Richard Boyle and David McBride to emphasise the significance of transparency and accountability for organisational health and risk management.

There is a growing call for enhanced whistleblower protections in Australia, with federal government attempts at reform across public and private sectors. Dunn added, "There also needs to be serious action taken at the enterprise level. By listening to those who speak up about wrongdoing in our organisation, and by protecting their identity and explicitly preventing reprisals, we build stronger, more ethical organisations, and protect those organisations from the financial and reputational risk that so often accompanies the failure to support those who tell the truth."

Dunn further commented on the current business environment, stating, "In 2024, as public expectations for corporate integrity increase, having a structured, managed approach to ethics is vital for organisational resilience, risk mitigation, and maintaining stakeholder trust in an increasingly scrutinised business environment."

The 2020 Report to the Nations by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners highlighted that implementing an independent ethics reporting system like EthicsPro can reduce fraud losses by approximately 50%. Founded in 2007, Report It Now has a history of helping various organisations, including large publicly listed companies, regional government entities, and small-to-medium businesses, cultivate open, honest workplaces free from unethical practices.