The Children’s Rights Alliance Inc., trading as Children’s Rights Queensland (CRQ), is committed to integrity, transparency, and accountability in all its operations. This policy provides a framework for team members to report misconduct, unethical behaviour, or other concerns without fear of retaliation.

This policy takes effect from January 2025 and supersedes all previous policies, whether documented or not.

This policy applies to:

• Leadership Team
• Executive
• Employees
• Contractors
• Volunteers
• Members

• Whistleblower: A person who makes a disclosure about suspected or actual misconduct within the organisation.
• Misconduct: Includes fraud, corruption, unlawful behaviour, abuse, discrimination, harassment, unsafe work practices, or any action contrary to CRQ's values and policies.
• Retaliation: Any adverse action taken against a whistleblower for making a disclosure in good faith, including dismissal, demotion, harassment, or discrimination.

• Executive: Ensure compliance and strategic oversight of this policy.
• Leadership Team: Facilitate a safe and supportive environment for whistleblowers and ensure proper investigation of reports.
• Employees, Contractors, and Volunteers: Uphold ethical standards, report concerns in good faith and protect confidentiality.

At Children’s Rights Queensland, we believe in fostering a culture where concerns can be raised freely and addressed appropriately. We are committed to:

• Protecting whistleblowers from retaliation or victimisation.
• Providing clear and accessible reporting mechanisms.
• Investigating disclosures fairly and confidentially.
• Taking corrective actions where necessary.

Whistleblowers may report misconduct through the following channels:

• Contact Us
  (Reports sent here will be forwarded to all members of the Leadership Team).
• Confidential Mail: Marked “Confidential” to the President or Secretary at CRQ’s postal address: Suite 1771/17 Gould Road, Herston, 4006.
• In-Person: Reporting directly to a Leadership Team member.
  
  

All reports will be assessed promptly, and an independent investigation will be conducted where required. Whistleblowers may remain anonymous if preferred. If a complaint involves the President, the whistleblower should report directly to the Vice President or Secretary and Governance Lead to ensure an impartial investigation.

• CRQ will take all reasonable steps to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
• Reports will be handled confidentially to the extent possible.
• Any retaliation against a whistleblower will be treated as a serious breach of this policy and may result in disciplinary action.

Whistleblowers reporting misconduct involving senior leaders, including the President, will receive the highest level of protection. Retaliation, intimidation, or adverse actions against whistleblowers will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.

Non-compliance with this policy may result in investigations, corrective actions, disciplinary measures (e.g., warnings or termination), or reporting to relevant authorities. Breaches must be reported promptly to a member of the Children’s Rights Alliance Leadership Team.

• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Relevant Australian whistleblower protection laws

• Approval: Approved by the Child Rights Alliance Inc. Leadership Team.
• Review: This policy will be reviewed every two years. Feedback from children, families, and stakeholders will guide updates.

Please contact us.