Code of Ethics

At Tanck, we’re committed to being a purposeful and ethical business. By outlining why we exist and how we work, our Code of Ethics helps us stay true to this commitment. Our Code of Ethics is a guideline of the values, attitudes and behaviours that matter to our team, including permanent and casual staff, owners and founders. We expect each other to uphold these values, attitudes and behaviours. You can too.

Our purpose

We build government and stakeholder engagement capability to amplify the impact of organisations that do good in the world.

We deliver on our purpose by sharing the knowledge and experience of political insiders with for-purpose organisations so they have greater engagement and influence with government. The voice of the not-for-profit and broader for-purpose sector is often missing from government decision-making and policy formulation. With their voices in the room, we’ll get better social and environmental outcomes.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

For our team

We define our team as Tanck’s permanent and casual staff, owners and founders. We support, empower and respect one another by:

  • Doing work that drives social and environmental benefit.

  • Encouraging and enabling all team members to be their authentic selves at work.

  • Being an inclusive workplace that welcomes people with different backgrounds and demographics.

  • Facilitating flexible work arrangements and regular opportunities to take time off.

  • Balancing individual autonomy and accountability with teamwork and collaboration.

  • Seeing joy and fun as central to how we do business.

  • Making professional and personal growth a company responsibility.

For our clients

All of our clients must have a commitment to positive social and environmental change. With this purpose alignment in place, we are excited to work with not-for-profits, social enterprises, profit-for-purpose businesses and other impact-focussed organisations.

We support, empower and respect our clients by:

  • Working collaboratively with them with unwavering respect and professionalism.

  • Taking a capability building approach, whereby we strengthen their knowledge, skills, networks and confidence.

  • Respecting client privacy and confidentiality.

  • Being an inclusive organisation that welcomes the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients.

  • Pricing our services fairly.

We expect our clients to treat us respectfully, professionally and inclusively in return.

For our suppliers and stakeholders

We seek to work alongside and support other for-purpose organisations. This includes donating at least 5% of our profits to charity, carefully selecting our suppliers and partnering with other impact-led businesses.

For our environment

The climate crisis is real and we all have a role to play. At Tanck, we seek to be net zero by 2025 and minimise company waste year-on-year.

Thanks to all of the B Corps with inspiring, publicly available Codes of Ethics. Reading yours helped us develop our own.

Whistleblowing Policy

Tanck is committed to operating in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those concerning accounting and auditing, and prohibits fraudulent practices by any of its team members (defined us permanent and casual staff, owners and founders as well as any future board directors, interns or volunteers).

Our approach to whistleblowing

If a team member has a reasonable belief that a Tanck team member has engaged in any action that violates any applicable law, or regulation, including those concerning accounting and auditing, or constitutes a fraudulent practice, the team member is expected to immediately report such information to Angus Crowther, one of Tanck’s two Co-Founding Director. If the team member does not feel comfortable reporting the information to Angus, they are expected to report the information to Neil Pharaoh, the other Co-Founding Director of Tanck.

All reports will be followed up promptly, and an investigation conducted. In conducting its investigations, Tanck will strive to keep the identity of the complaining individual as confidential as possible, while conducting an adequate review and investigation.

Tanck will not retaliate against a team member in the terms and conditions of employment because that team member: (a) reports to a supervisor, to the executive director, the Board of Directors or to a federal, state or local agency what the team member believes in good faith to be a violation of the law; or (b) participates in good faith in any resulting investigation or proceeding, or (c) exercises their rights under any state or federal law(s) or regulation(s) to pursue a claim or take legal action to protect the team member’s rights.

Tanck may take disciplinary action (up to and including termination) against a team member who in management’s assessment has engaged in retaliatory conduct in violation of this policy.

In addition, Tanck will not, with the intent to retaliate, take any action harmful to any team member who has provided to law enforcement personnel or a court truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission by Tanck or any of its team member of a violation of any applicable law or regulation.

Managers and supervisors will be trained on this policy and Tanck’s prohibition against retaliation in accordance with this policy.

ESG Policies

Tanck is committed to advancing social and environmental impact. This happens through the government engagement, stakeholder management and communications services Tanck provides to not-for-profit and other for-purpose organisations. Tanck also recognises an opportunity for social and environmental impact through its own operations and supply chains, and by making charitable donations.

Our approach to e-waste and hazardous waste

Tanck and all Tanck employees commit to properly and responsibly disposing of all and any Tanck e-waste and hazardous waste to protect the environment and public health.

All Tanck e-waste must be donated to charity (e.g. Enable, TADWA, GIVIT) or taken to a designated e-waste recycling facility (e.g. Officeworks, some local councils). For large items, such as Tanck computers and monitors, Tanck employees are to speak with their manager and/or a Tanck director to confirm that the product is e-waste before donating or recycling it.

Tanck’s operations do not and are not expected to result in hazardous waste. Should hazardous waste be produced as a result of Tanck’s operations, it must be disposed of safely and responsibly. This can include using designated hazardous waste disposal facilities, contacting the relevant state/territory Environmental Protection Authority and other government-approved methods. In Victoria, Sustainability Victoria provides information and services relating to hazardous waste.

Our approach to selecting suppliers

  • Moving forwards, to increase social and environmental impact, Tanck will preference suppliers that are:

  • Owned by minority or under-represented groups such as women, LGBTQI+, culturally and linguistically diverse, First Nations and people with disability;

  • Registered as a not-for-profit, social enterprise or B Corp;

  • Net zero in terms of their cabon footprint; and/or

  • Local to Tanck’s head office in Sydney and/or co-working offices in Melbourne and Brisbane.

When selecting suppliers, Tanck will also consider factors such as price, quality and capacity/availability. In addition, if an existing supplier is found to be in breach of any of the following criteria, Tanck will cease procuring products / services from them and will notify the appropriate regulatory bodies:

  • Employment in their workplace is freely chosen;

  • Working conditions are safe and hygienic;

  • Child labor is not used;

  • Fair wages are paid;

  • Working hours are not excessive; and/or

  • No discrimination, harassment or harsh/ in human treatment is practiced or allowed.

Our approach to charitable giving

Tanck defines charitable giving as a financial donation to a registered not-for-profit or charity. Charitable giving is different to pro-bono service provision (i.e. services provided at no cost to a not-for-profit or charity) and discounted service provision (i.e. services provided at a discounted rate to a not-for-profit or charity).

Tanck commits to donating a minimum of 5% of annual net income to charitable organisations in Australia at the end of each financial year, aligning donations to organisations or sectors agreed in consultation between Tanck Directors and Tanck Staff.

2 / 9 Hutchinson Street
St Peters NSW 2044

Level 27, 101 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Level 19, 10 Eagle Street
Brisbane QLD 4000

Adelaide SA 5000