Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) Chairman Peter Aitsi and Chair of the KCH Audit & Risk Committee James Gore today announced that their Board had endorsed a Whistleblower Policy consistent with the Government’s Whistleblower Bill 2020, passed by Parliament earlier this year. The Whistleblower Policy is further enabled by the establishment of an “arms-length” reporting platform.

Peter Aitsi said, ”At KCH we recognise that our employees, consultants, contractors, suppliers, customers, and others with whom we interact in the normal course of business from time to time may have concerns, for whatever reason, about activities of the organisation and State Owned Enterprises and may be unaware of how best to voice these concerns. We have now provided a secure means for such concerns to be directed discreetly.”

“Our objective is to promote a corporate culture of openness, accountability, and integrity. The aim of such an arrangement is to maintain utmost confidentiality to protect individuals from punishment or unfair treatment for disclosing these concerns in good faith in accordance with this policy. The nature of concerns may include perceived criminal acts, improprieties, unfair discrimination, or failure to comply with legal obligations.”

Managing Director, Isikeli Taureka noted that,” our policy is compliant with Government
requirements and in line with Transparency International best practice guidelines.”

“Like any business organisation, KCH has internal control and operating procedures to detect improper activities, but even the best systems cannot provide absolute safeguards against irregularities. Any allegations of suspected improper activities received will be properly investigated internally or by external agencies where appropriate and reported on as required under KCH’s policy.”

Chairman Aitsi advised that integral to the KCH Whistleblower Policy was a clearly independent procedure to be followed by anyone that, if necessary, also ensured the anonymity of people raising concerns.

“We have established an independent email reporting avenue where complaints can be lodged. This whistleblower address will be monitored by the Brisbane office of Ernst & Young, a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services. They will send acknowledgement responses and after forensic examination, forward credible matters to be considered by a KCH Whistleblower Committee, chaired by James Gore.”

“At KCH we are committed to integrity and ethical behaviour by all our employees and want to maintain standards in an environment where people can act appropriately, without any fear of retaliation, discrimination, or unfair treatment.”