Corporate and M&A

The long awaited reforms to Australian whistleblower legislation was passed on 19 February 2019. Partner, Andrea Beatty; Law Graduate, Chelsea Payne and Law Graduate, Danielle Bonanno outline the significance of the reforms and what they signify for companies and individuals.

On 19 February 2019, the long awaited reforms to Australian whistleblower legislation was passed by Parliament. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Act 2019 (Cth) (Whistleblower Act) will mostly take effect three months after the Act receives Royal Assent, which could be as early as 1 July 2019.

The significance of the Whistleblower Act lies in its ability to harmonise current whistleblower regimes under federal law, expand protections and remedies and create a regime for tax-related misconduct and contraventions.[1] The amendments will apply to disclosures made on or after the commencement of the Act which may extend to matters that may have occurred before commencement.[2] However, matters relating to compensation and remedies will apply retrospectively to disclosures made prior to commencement.[3]

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