Don’t take the call

Aside from news reports across various mastheads, there has been limited media engagement with what is a deeply concerning story. Of the reporting that has taken place, none has been able to secure any former staff discussing their experiences on the record. The direct access that we have to people impacted most by these events will compliment the investigative journalism taking place, and help to highlight the lack of accountability by people central to the business’ rise and collapse. Having followed this story for several years, knowing the people at the centre of it since high school, and gaining numerous insights from people affected by these events, we have determined key areas of focus that help shape the story and interrogate the issues it raises. These are the regional town of Geelong, the private Catholic boys school upbringing at St. Joseph’s College, the corporate culture arising out of firms such as PwC, and the influence of private interests over political officials.

Corporate corruption is an insidious problem with widespread consequences, exacerbating social issues such as poverty and inequality whilst also derailing initiatives around climate change mitigation and human rights violations. Unethical business practices are all too common around the world, often with the greatest detrimental impact on developing nations. However, with cost of living pressures rising in wealthy countries like Australia, our workforce is increasingly vulnerable to corrupt practices and business malfeasance, with extensive impacts on individuals and social systems that support us. Despite this, it is difficult to measure corruption and therefore challenging to develop a collective sensibility around it, especially given the gaslighting, manipulation and obfuscation that typically occurs. Don’t Take The Call will tackle this issue by providing a face to corruption, as we examine the collapse of Scale Facilitation and the actions of the people responsible.

The project aims to help employees identify warning signs about their employment, whether that be in a start-up or established organisation, and what action to take against business malfeasance. It also serves as a point of reference for employers to shape workplace policy, codes of conduct, rights for workers to challenge leadership and collective bargaining.

Further to this, we hope to see this film contribute to policy and reforms around political donations, whistleblower protections, tax avoidance, pork-barrelling and due diligence. It is particularly pertinent to the Albanese government’s announcement of more public funding to incentivise private manufacturing enterprises, as a glaring example of how fraught this approach can be.

The story will also build awareness around the culture and systems that perpetuate this sort of behaviour, seeking to establish where corruption begins, the impacts felt on individuals and the community, as well as what can be done about it.

Having grown up in Geelong and attended high school with many of the people involved, Jeremy (Director) has relationships with significant characters in this story, including the first employee of Scale Facilitation. Through this connection, he has built trust with other employees who want to share their story, as well as people within the community who wish to contribute.

Throughout development we have come to see just how devastating the impact of this experience has been for many people, from financial burden to significant mental health consequences, and much worse. With several hours of interviews already recorded, and many more to complete, our team is taking a trauma-informed approach in interviews with focus on safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment for participants.

We are currently in conversations with potential impact partners, including Transparency International and Human Rights Law Centre, so the CTA will be determined as those conversations evolve. However, at the very least we will prompt employees to discuss their workplace with each other , building a supportive environment to navigate any challenges they may face.

We will also explore avenues for former employees and creditors to be compensated, through engagement with the local communities and businesses within them. This could include a fundraising event, contacting local politicians, as well as rallying support to continue the liquidation and litigation process.