Frequently Asked Questions
What is Speak-up Anonymous?
Speak-up Anonymous is an independent and confidential service available to receive information relating to improper conduct, unlawful or unethical behaviour and supports SA Power Networks’ values and Code of Conduct.
What can be reported?
Any breaches of the Code of Conduct, related policies, and issues that may adversely affect SA Power Networks, its workers, suppliers or family members of workers. This may include any criminal offence, breach of legal obligation, unsafe behaviour, harassment or bullying.
Why does SA Power Networks have this service?
SA Power Networks encourages the reporting of concerns. Whether the person wishes to confidentiality communicate with a party independent of SA Power Networks then the Stopline Service will assist SA Power Networks is adopting best practice in this aspect of corporate governance and will be compliant with international and Australian corporate governance standards. SA Power Networks 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.
How do I make a report?
Reports can be made in the following ways:
1. Online via https://sapowernetworks.stoplinereport.com/
2. Phone – 1800 035 400
3. NRS – National Relay Service. The NRS is a vital service that allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment to make and receive phone calls.
4. Email – Send an email to: [email protected]
5. Post – Attention: SA Power Networks, c/o Stopline, PO Box 403, Diamond Creek, VIC 3089, Australia
6. Stopline App – Search for Stopline in the iTunes App Store or Google Play to download the free app and submit a disclosure
What do I do if I am experiencing difficulty or distress, or may need some mental health support in relation to this issue?
Employees and their immediately family can contact the Employee Assistance Program for a confidential discussion:
Access Programs:
Phone: 1300 667 700
Email: [email protected]
Online: Request an Appointment – ACCESS Programs (accesssa.com.au)
For others, please find resources and phone lines here: Mental health services | SA Health
If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact:
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
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 Whistleblower Protection Officer at SA Power Networks. 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.
If I make a complaint regarding suspected misconduct, how will I be protected?
How does Stopline work?
Stopline enables employees, contractors and stakeholders to report, suspected misconduct via telephone, email, internet 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 Whistleblower Protection Officer at SA Power Networks. The program then necessitates procedural requirements dealing with and finalising the outcome of the disclosure.
Who and what is the Whistleblower Protection Officer?
A person within SA Power Networks is responsible for ensuring that all Whistleblower complaints are handled appropriately. The Whistleblower Protection Officer is responsible for SA Power Networks’ role in managing Whistleblower disclosures and being the contact point for both Stopline and SA Power Networks.
When should I contact Stopline?
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 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 Whistleblower Protection Officer may decline to investigate the matter if satisfied that the disclosure is trivial, frivolous or vexatious.
What if I am being discriminated against or unfairly treated because of my report?
If you feel that you are being discriminated against or unfairly treated by another staff member of SA Power Networks as a result of your whistleblower disclosure, we encourage you to reach out to the Whistleblower Protection Officer (General Counsel, SA Power Networks). The Whistleblower Protection Officer’s role is to safeguard the interests of whistleblowers. Whistleblowers may, on a confidential basis, seek the assistance and support of the Whistleblower Protection Officer in relation to protecting their identity and preventing or investigating any retaliatory or discriminatory action. Alternatively, you can make another Whistleblower report that will be referred to the Whistleblower Protection Officer.
Will I be kept informed about the result of making a report?
If I make a report will I be liable anyway?
Where a person who makes a disclosure is implicated in the misconduct, SA Power Networks will 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 SA Power Networks’ intranet site.