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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Victorian Building Authority Whistleblower Hotline?
The Victorian Building Authority Whistleblower Hotline is an independent and confidential service available to receive information relating to improper conduct, unlawful or unethical behaviour and supports Victorian Building Authority’s values and Code of Conduct.
What can be reported?
Any breaches of the Code of Conduct, related policies, and issues that may adversely affect Victorian Building Authority.This may include any criminal offence, breach of legal obligation, unsafe behaviour, harassment or bullying.
Why is Victorian Building Authority introducing the service?
Victorian Building Authority believes that all employees and other stakeholders should be able to assist in ensuring Victorian Building Authority maintains its status as an ethical business. Victorian Building Authority 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?

Victorian Building Authority 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.

You can also approach the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (www.ibac.vic.gov.au) or contact Stephen Mumford, VBA’s Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator via [email protected].

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 Victorian Building Authority. 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?
Victorian Building Authority 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. Victorian Building Authority has appointed Stopline to enhance confidentiality and anonymity within Victorian Building Authority with respect to Whistleblower procedures.
How does Stopline work?

Stopline enables employees, contractors and stakeholders 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 Public Interest Disclosure Officer at Victorian Building Authority. The program then places procedural requirements on dealing with and finalising the outcome of the disclosure.

Who and what is the nominated officer?
A person within Victorian Building Authority is responsible for ensuring that all serious complaints are handled appropriately. The nominated officer is responsible for Victorian Building Authority’s role in managing disclosures and being the contact point for both Stopline and the Victorian Building Authority.
When should I contact Stopline?

You can contact the Stopline when you have knowledge of any fraudulent, corrupt, unlawful, unethical or otherwise unacceptable conduct by an employee and/or contractor.

At what time can I contact Stopline?

You can telephone the Stopline on 1300 30 45 50 (in Australia) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  A Stopline investigator will answer your call during business hours (0800 – 1800 Mon – Fri AEST).  Any messages left with our overnight team will be responded to within one working day. You can also send your disclosure via the internet (this website), email, facsimile or mail.

As an employee, 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 Public Interest 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 will I be liable anyway?
Where a person who makes a disclosure is implicated in the misconduct, Victorian Building Authority 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.
Where else can I obtain information about the hotline and related services?

Full details are available on the Your Ethical Responsibilities page on te Victorian Building Authority’s intranet site. If you wish, you can also approach the VBA’s Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator at [email protected].