A visit by Wesfarmers executive Naomi Flutter to an Indigenous Bunnings employee at a Perth psychiatric facility sparked a ban by the clinic's staff on further visits by Wesfarmer's Group employees to protect his mental health.

The employee told National Indigenous Times Ms Flutter's visit to him was thought to be a welfare check, however she then allegedly tried to propose a settlement outcome of his employment termination process while he was in a compromised state at the facility; and took a photo of the two of them together, allegedly sending it to colleagues without his permission.

Phillip Sillifant, a Noongar executive who has served in multiple senior roles across the Wesfarmers group for more than a decade, and is employed on a part-time basis as the Indigenous Business Lead for Bunnings, alleges that after raising internal concerns with Bunnings about 'Black cladding' in early 2024 he was subjected to a covert investigation, denied procedural fairness, and later pressured to resign while hospitalised with a psychological injury.

The allegations are outlined in a formal protected disclosure submitted to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which has confirmed the matter is under active investigation. As far as Indigenous Times is aware, ASIC has not yet issued any findings in relation to the allegations.

The allegations from Mr Sillifant – who spoke exclusively with National Indigenous Times under whistleblower protections afforded to him by ASIC - has raised concerns about the psychological safety of fellow Indigenous employees of the Wesfarmers Group.

He also claims that Wesfarmers launched a covert internal investigation into him around one month after a senior executive of Bunnings joined the board of Geared Up Culcha - an Indigenous supplier partly owned by a subsidiary of Wesfarmers.

He says he was not notified about the investigation at the time and alleges he was told by the executive in question that no inquiry was under way.

Over the following two months, he claims he was excluded from meetings, left in the dark about his employment status, and subjected to internal monitoring and HR processes with no clarity about what allegations — if any — were being made against him.

On February 17 2025 Mr Sillifant was issued a show cause notice from Bunnings regarding what the company said was a conflict of interest with another business, of which Mr Sillifant was a director, and "downloading confidential information and intellectual property".

"We hold an initial view that your employment with Bunnings in your role ... has become untenable," the letter, which National Indigenous Times has seen, stated.

"Bunnings recently developed concerns that a conflict of interest had emerged between the duties of loyalty you owe to Bunnings, and the duties you owe to a separate incorporated entity of which you are a director.

"A conflict emerged as you were unable to simultaneously act in the best interests of Bunnings, and in the best interests of [the separate business]."

Mr Sillifant denies that any conflict of interest existed, and told National Indigenous Times his business was at formulation stage, and had not yet begun trading.

On 18 February 2025, Mr Sillifant was admitted to Perth Clinic for psychological treatment.

During his hospitalisation, he alleges Wesfarmers executive general manager of corporate affairs Naomi Flutter visited him, took a photograph of the two of them together and shared it without his consent, and suggested that he resign while he was under psychiatric care.

In documentation submitted to ASIC, Mr Sillifant stated that Ms Flutter's visit caused him psychological harm and delayed his recovery. His treating psychiatrist later confirmed the event contributed to his psychological injury.

Shortly after the hospital visit, Sillifant received an email on the 25th of February from Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider that included an ultimatum: resign or face the reopening of the investigation, which Mr Schneider noted may lead to his termination.

Mr Sillifant's psychiatrist provided a medical assessment on February 24 2025, which stated his "employer's handling of the disciplinary process caused significant psychological distress, culminating in hospitalisation".

The hospital visit by Ms Flutter, who was, until recently, Pro-Chancellor of Australian National University and is chair of the Telethon Kids Institute, worsened Mr Sillifant's condition, his psychiatrist at the Perth Clinic said.

According to a medical assessment, signed off by a psychiatrist employed by the Perth Clinic, and seen by National Indigenous Times, Mr Sillifant suffered "significant psychological distress due to workplace events".

"Hospitalised as a direct result of employer's actions. Employer's continued engagement, including a visit by a senior Wesfarmers Executive (Naomi Flutter) on 21 February 2025, initially framed as a welfare check but later revealed to be an attempt to negotiate a termination outcome, caused further psychological harm and prolonged recovery. As a result, all further visits and direct employer contact have been prohibited to prevent additional distress," the document stated.

Mr Sillifant told National Indigenous Times that when he attempted to pursue an internal whistleblower process, he was referred back to executives already implicated in his original complaint.

The whistleblower alleges Wesfarmers failed to escalate the matter to its Audit and Risk Committee, despite multiple requests. He also claims that senior executives, including CEO Rob Scott and Chair Michael Chaney, were made aware of the allegations but referred Mr Sillifant back to those same internal processes, despite his warnings that they were, in his view, unsafe and culturally compromised.

His complaint to ASIC outlines alleged breaches of the Corporations Act, Fair Work Act, Privacy Act, and Work Health and Safety laws, and names multiple Wesfarmers and Bunnings executives.

Wesfarmers told National Indigenous Times that Wesfarmers was not aware of an ASIC investigation.

"We don't comment on employees and their individual employment arrangements with the Group and its businesses," she said, after National Indigenous Times sent the company 60 questions in relation to Mr Sillifant's concerns.

"Where we undertake employment-related investigations, these are conducted in line with established policies and processes, and this includes measures to ensure they are culturally safe and delivered with care.

"We are not therefore, able to assist with your enquiries."

Ms Flutter was contacted for comment directly, but referred National Indigenous Times back to the Wesfarmers statement.

National Indigenous Times does not assert that Mr Sillifant's allegations in this article concerning Ms Flutter, Mr Schneider, Mr Scott or Mr Chaney are true.

In addition to the hardware giant Bunnings, Wesfarmers owns Kmart, Target, Officeworks, Priceline, flybuys, Kleenheat, and many more companies.

All Indigenous people who have experienced unsatisfactory treatment in their workplace or from their employers are encouraged to contact National Indigenous Times at editor@nit.com.au.