Australians shouldn't need legal expertise to blow the whistle on wrongdoing

• Calls for a dedicated Whistleblower Protection Office to help people report misconduct
• Rules are too complex and risk deterring people from speaking up
• Reforms should close protection gaps, improve support and make reporting pathways clearer and safer

CPA Australia is calling for a dedicated Whistleblower Protection Office to help Australians report corporate and tax misconduct, arguing the current regimes are too complex and risk discouraging people from speaking up. 

In its submission to Treasury's review of tax and corporate whistleblowing, CPA Australia says uncertainty about who is protected, what can be disclosed and where disclosures should be made creates unnecessary barriers for potential whistleblowers. 

CPA Australia Regulations and Standards Lead, Belinda Zohrab, said Australians who want to report misconduct should be able to do so confidently and without fear.

"Whistleblowers play an important role in identifying corporate and tax misconduct, but the current framework – particularly in the corporate regime – can be difficult for ordinary people to navigate," Ms Zohrab said.

"A person considering whether to report wrongdoing is likely to be focused on three things: whether they will remain anonymous, whether they will be protected from harm, and whether they are reporting to the right authority.

"People should not need specialist legal knowledge to understand whether they qualify for protection or where they should go to make a disclosure." 

CPA Australia is proposing the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Office to provide independent guidance and support, help individuals determine whether they are eligible for protection, and direct disclosures to the appropriate regulator. The purpose of the office would be to help people navigate the different whistleblower regimes – support which currently does not exist.

"Our proposal is a practical solution that would make the system easier to understand and access," Ms Zohrab said.

"A Whistleblower Protection Office could provide education, support and triage services while allowing existing regulators to continue their enforcement and investigative functions." 

CPA Australia is also urging greater consistency between the corporate and tax whistleblower regimes, noting that differences in definitions, eligibility requirements and reporting pathways are confusing and expose whistleblowers to unnecessary risk.

The submission further highlights a significant gap in current protections, with partnerships not covered by the corporate whistleblower regime.

"Large and sophisticated businesses can operate through partnership structures, yet protections available under the corporate whistleblower regime may not apply," Ms Zohrab said.

"Closing this gap is important if we want people to feel confident reporting misconduct regardless of how a business is structured." 

CPA Australia is also calling for stronger support mechanisms for whistleblowers, including clearer guidance, practical assistance and more accessible pathways to compensation where detriment has occurred as a result of speaking up. 

"The focus of reform should be on protecting and supporting people who come forward in good faith," Ms Zohrab said.

"If whistleblowers are uncertain about their protections, many may decide it is simply safer to stay silent. That's not in the public interest, nor does it help organisations identify and address misconduct." 

Media contact

Camille Hanton
External Affairs Lead
[email protected]
0431 180 475