Integrity
Investigation report - Matters arising from allegations of inappropriate conduct by a former Commissioner of Police and another police officer
The report discusses integrity issues relating to conflict of interests, associations and gifts and benefits. It also discusses issues relating to police reporting concerns about other police and matters relating to current and possible alternative integrity mechanisms and the current powers of the Ombudsman. The report makes a number of recommendations for review of NT Police policies and procedures and Ombudsman legislation
Ensuring integrity – the role of watchdog agencies
Panel discussion on the role of watchdog agencies. Guests are NSW ICAC Commissioner, NSW Auditor-General and NSW Ombudsman. Highlights of Ethics & Leadership In the Public Sector Conference, hosted by the NSW Public Service Commission, 7 and 8 May, 2015.
Ensuring integrity - the role of watchdog agencies - ABC RN Big Ideas podcast, August 2015
ICAC Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct for staff addresses many issues relevant to investigative and independent offices.
ICAC Code of Conduct - NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, May 2015
Test Your Ethics IQ - a Self-Assessment
An online quiz aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of ethical issues. The setting is a local government organisation (albeit a very large one) but a lot of the questions have general application to public bodies.
Test Your Ethics IQ - a Self-Assessment - City of New York Department of Investigations
Frank and fearless in the Westminster tradition
Panel discussion around giving frank and fearless advice and its place in the modern public service. Has the loss of security of tenure meant that public servants feel less able to give unpalatable advice to a minister? Highlights of Ethics & Leadership In the Public Sector Conference, hosted by the NSW Public Service Commission, 7 and 8 May, 2015
Frank and fearless in the Westminster tradition - ABC RN Big Ideas podcast, September 2015
Corruption in the public sector: The big issues — Lessons from investigations by the Crime and Corruption Commission
Corruption prevention advisories
Corruption prevention advisories - Crime and Corruption Commission, webpage
Independent Commission Against Corruption
ICAC Website - Independent commission Against Corruption NSW, webpage
Report on the Misconduct Intelligence Assessment of the WA Public Sector
"The dynamic nature of the public sector ... inevitably gives rise to new corruption risks and misconduct threats requiring attention and makes the management of traditional threats more complicated. Th[e] report is not intended as a critique of Government policy or the structure of the public sector in WA. The analysis describes the existing pressures in the public sector for the sole purpose of identifying misconduct risk. It is misconduct risk that informs the role of the Commission ... in improving continuously the integrity of, and reducing the incidence of misconduct in, the WA public sector. For the WA Government and public sector agencies to continue to effectively combat corruption and misconduct, better information is needed about the changing public sector environment and the range of current and emerging risks and vulnerabilities that exist within it."
A review of integrity frameworks in six Victorian councils
"IBAC's Local Government Integrity Framework Project explored the corruption prevention measures in place at six councils. An 'integrity framework' is defined as the instruments, processes, structure and conditions required to foster integrity and prevent corruption in public organisations. IBAC conducted targeted consultations with a selection of councils by undertaking surveys of senior managers and staff, and interviews with selected staff members. IBAC used the information from consultations along with the observed practices to build a picture of the councils' integrity frameworks. This paper highlights both good practices and possible areas for improvement to help councils strengthen their individual integrity frameworks."
Corruption red flags in procurement
Discussion with Geoff Crawford, Assistant Director Fraud Prevention at the Department of Justice and Regulation
Podcast: corruption vulnerabilities in procurement - Victorian IBAC, November 2015
Organised Crime and public sector corruption podcast
Interview with Dr Russell Smith from the Australian Institute of Criminology about organised crime and public sector corruption. Focusses on organised crime recruiting public servants to access to protected personal information.
Report on Misconduct Risk in Local Government Procurement
The report sets out six case studies relating to Commission investigations, a post investigation review of financial governance at the City of Stirling, and the findings of procurement audits in five metropolitan local governments.
Investigation into the conduct of a university manager and others in relation to false invoicing
This investigation concerned allegations that an information technology manager corruptly obtained, or attempted to obtain, benefits by issuing false invoices to three different universities at which he worked over a number of years. It was alleged that the manager caused, or attempted to cause, the payment of false invoices to a private company which did not do any work for any of the universities. It was alleged that the manager and another person attempted to cover-up the false invoices at one university by submitting a false licensing agreement and concocting emails to give the impression work was performed for the university.
Investigation into allegations of improper conduct by officers of VicRoads
A report into allegations that it is "normal practice" for VicRoads Transport Safety Services staff caught speeding in VicRoads vehicles to avoid a fine by claiming unjustifiable exemptions. In effect, the allegation was that some VicRoads staff break the road rules with impunity.
Investigation into allegations of corrupt conduct in the provision of security products and services by suppliers, installers and consultant
Findings of corrupt conduct in relation to procurement practices.
An examination of suspected official misconduct at the University of Queensland
In December 2010 the University of Queensland offered a place in its 2011 undergraduate medical program to a school leaver who had not met the entry requirements for admission into that particular course.
Handling allegations of corruption: A report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman on an investigation into a complaint about the Department for International Development
A person complained about a Departmental investigation of his allegations concerning the inappropriate use of funds, or exercise reasonable oversight, and about the way in which the Department handled the information he had sent them. The Ombudsman did not find any reason to question the outcome of Department’s investigation but found that it had failed to communicate effectively; failed to give reasons for decision, or to be open and transparent about decisions; and failed to maintain reliable and useable records. The Ombudsman also found that the Department failed to protect the complainant’s identity and to ensure the confidentiality he sought.
Fraud, financial management and accountability in the Queensland public sector: An examination of how a $16.69 million fraud was committed on Queensland Health
“In December 2011, Queensland Health identified a fraudulent transaction of $11 million of public funds paid to one of its own employees. Further investigation identified this transaction to be the latest in a series of 65 fraudulent transactions totalling $16.69 million and committed over a four-year period. The report provides an account of the fraud and describes the impact of that discovery. It aims to highlight public servants’ responsibilities and accountability as stewards of public money — and raise awareness of the potential for fraud in the workplace, of their own responsibilities to prevent it and, finally, of the high cost of managerial inaction. The report also includes a summary of lessons to be learned from the Queensland Health experience— the factors that allowed the fraud to be committed and remain undetected for so long, as well as recommendations to managers and staff of public agencies.”
Perceptions of Corruption and Ethical Conduct – ANU Poll
Perceptions of Corruption and Ethical Conduct – ANU Poll - Australian National University, 2012
Perceptions of Corruption in Victoria
A survey of fraud, bribery and corruption in Australia and New Zealand 2012
A survey of fraud, bribery and corruption in Australia and New Zealand 2012 - KPMG, February 2013
Conflict of Interest
Conflict of interest by an Executive Officer in the Department of Education and Training
Report on an investigation into an allegation that an executive officer within a department negotiated and accepted a job with a company while he was responsible for investigating it. The investigation found the allegation to be substantiated but the executive is no longer a public servant.
An investigation into allegations of nepotism and conflict of interest by senior health managers
Report of investigation that identified conduct by two officers in relation to the procurement of services from, and the employment of, direct family members and others with whom they had shared a professional (and in one case, a financial) association. Those procurements and recruitments brought financial benefits to the persons associated with the two officers. It was the view of the Integrity Commission that the conduct of both officers involved conflicts of interest which were not dealt with in accordance with applicable policy or legislative requirements.
Investigation into allegations of improper procurement of services by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Issues investigated included potential conflicts of interest, compliance with procurement policies and procedures and reporting requirements relating to engagement of consultants.
Accepting gifts, benefits and hospitality
Accepting Gifts, Benefits & Hospitality: Policy Framework for the NTPS
To facilitate agency development and review of individual guidelines and policies on acceptance of gifts, benefits and hospitality, the NT Ombudsman has developed a Framework, in co-operation with the Department of the Chief Minister, the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment and the Department of Infrastructure. The Framework is intended to provide a broad structure to help government agencies identify what issues they should consider in the development and review of appropriate guidelines/policies and provide some background to inform that process.
Gifts and Benefits Factsheet
Gifts and Benefits Factsheet - Tasmania Integrity Commission
Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy
Gifts and benefits policy - NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade
An own motion investigation into policies, practices and procedures relating to receiving and declaring of gifts and benefits in the Tasmanian State Service
"Appropriate management of offers of gifts and benefits is essential to maintaining the actual and perceived integrity of the Tasmanian State Service. Through this investigation, the Commission has identified a concerning complacency among agencies about this issue. Almost without exception, the Commission's request for gifts and benefits policies and records triggered a flurry of activity within agencies. Many agencies advised that they had a new gifts policy – or were in the process of drafting one. Some agencies took several months to locate and send the requested information to the Commission. Another matter of concern was the lack of understanding of the relationship between gifts and conflicts of interest. None of the agency policies explained this relationship satisfactorily – indeed, only two of the policies explained it at all. Even where an agency's policy did provide some explanation of conflicts of interest, the gifts that had been approved by the agency demonstrated either a failure to understand the policy, or a failure to apply it."
Report on an Investigation into Acceptance and Disclosure of Gifts and Travel Contributions by the Lord Mayor of the City of Perth
The Lord Mayor of the City of Perth, having declared an impartiality interest, voted with Council in favour of an application by BHP Billiton to waive a hire fee. At the time the Lord Mayor had been offered, and two days later formally accepted from BHP Billiton, an Olympic Hospitality Package comprising an all-expenses paid trip to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. The value of this package as estimated by BHP Billiton was at least US$36,826. Every elected official is required, annually, to disclose gifts and contributions to travel received in the year. The Lord Mayor did not disclose any part of the Olympic Package.
Governance and good decision-making
Ten principles for good administration
A four page fact sheet that neatly summarises ten important principles for good administration.
Ten principles for good administration - Commonwealth Ombudsman, 2023
Good conduct and Administrative practice
Good conduct and Administrative practice - Ombudsman NSW
Natural Justice: Vega Vega v Hoyle & Ors [2015] QSC 111
A specialist urologist conducting a long and complex operation removed the wrong kidney. The conduct of the specialist was investigated. The specialist challenged the actions and decisions of various investigators and decision-makers, alleging bias, failure to disclose material information, lack of procedural fairness and failure to take into account relevant considerations. The Court found that decisions that prevented the applicant from having access to information and documents relied on by the health service investigators and clinical reviewers and presentation of a report without having given the specialist access to the information and documents, amounted to breaches of natural justice.
Stakeholder engagement
Towards a NSW Charter for Public Participation
In September 2015, the NSW Information Commissioner announced a commitment to collaborate with NSW citizens and agencies to promote public participation and assist agencies in achieving success in their engagement with NSW citizens, through a NSW Charter for Public Participation. This report documents progress to date.
Public Participation in Government Decision-making: Better Practice guide
"Public participation is a critical input to government activity, and developing effective strategies, programs and projects. Failing to adequately engage the public risks alienating the community and creating negative impacts through poorly informed and implemented decisions. Despite the critical role that public participation plays, ... there is no whole-of-government guidance or framework that helps agencies plan and implement effective public participation exercises. And yet this is an area that public sector agencies find consistently challenging. In light of this, [the Auditor-General] has chosen to publish this better practice guide in order to: provide a high-level framework for agencies across the public sector to use when deciding how best to involve the public in government decision-making and implementation — and clearly set out the principles and elements to audit the efficiency and effectiveness of public participation exercises."
Indigenous resources
Resources
Resources - NT Anti-Discrimination Commission NT, webpage
Discrimination: Know your rights Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Indigenous protocols for lawyers (2nd ed)
Indigenous protocols for lawyers (2nd ed) - Law Society NT, 2015
The Path to Justice: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Experience of the Courts
Indigenous Outreach
Indigenous Outreach - Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, webpage
Complaints involving corporations
Indigenous Governance Toolkit
Indigenous Governance Toolkit - Australian Indigenous Governance Institute
Human Rights in Closed Environments
The article examines the human rights of people detained in ‘closed environments’; that is, non-public sites of segregation including prisons, police cells, immigration detention centres, disability facilities and psychiatric institutions. The inmates of such closed environments are vulnerable to human rights violations given their isolation from society and powerlessness. With reference to the author’s fieldwork in the closed environment of correctional facilities, this essay reviews Human Rights in Closed Environments and argues that there is a need for governments and the broader community to interrogate the ideological basis for detention. A human rights oriented discourse suggests that the loss of liberty should not be exacerbated by further punitive and degrading measures; rather, the emphasis needs to shift to a paradigm of transparency, dignified care, responsibility and rehabilitation.
Human Rights in Closed Environments - (2015) 37(4) Sydney Law Review 617