This piece covers recent amendments made to Australian whistleblower laws and protections. Specifically, protections extended to those disclosers who have ‘reasonable grounds to suspect’ that the information disclosed concerns misconduct or an improper state of affairs with regards to a regulated entity or its related body corporates.
Furthermore, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has released a policy outlining how individuals involved in market misconduct may also apply for immunity from civil penalty or criminal proceedings. The new immunity policy is designed to encourage the disclosures of misconduct.
Authors: Justin McDonnell, Partner, and Andrew Gray, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons