ICAC rural and regional outreach program to visit Griffith
Thursday 18 July 2013
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will visit the Riverina this month as part of the Commission's rural and regional outreach program to bring anti-corruption initiatives and training to regional NSW.
The visit, to be based in Griffith, will include workshops for state and local government agencies to increase awareness about corruption risks, and learn the latest ways to minimise the occurrence of corrupt conduct.
The ICAC Commissioner, the Hon David Ipp AO QC, said the Commission has an important role, in addition to its investigative work, to help NSW agencies and public officials to be equipped with the necessary skills and tools to combat corruption. "The Commission's investigative and corruption prevention work has shown that public officials can face several vulnerabilities when dealing with corruption risks.
"Workshops on offer at this outreach visit will include corruption prevention for managers, which aims to help managers improve their ability and skills in dealing with corruption risks. Public officials attending the workshops will also have the opportunity to learn about public interest disclosures (to be conducted by the NSW Ombudsman's office), and fact-finding, which helps agencies to conduct their own internal investigations," Commissioner Ipp said.
The ICAC's Executive Director Corruption Prevention, Dr Robert Waldersee, will host a community leaders' breakfast at Griffith, which will be attended by approximately 60 people including elected and staff representatives from Griffith City Council, state government agencies, local community organisations and interest groups. Dr Waldersee will address the breakfast about the role and functions of the ICAC, and will be joined by NSW Deputy Ombudsman Chris Wheeler, who will discuss the role of the Ombudsman.
Agencies attending the outreach activities include the Balranald Shire Council, Berrigan Shire Council, Carrathool Shire Council, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Primary Industries, Department of Trade and Investment, Griffith City Council, Housing NSW, Jerilderie Shire Council, Leeton Shire Council, Lockhart Shire Council, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Narranderra Shire Council, Wakool Shire Council and the Workcover Authority of NSW.
The ICAC outreach program has proved highly successful since its inception in 2001. Previous visits have included the Central Coast, the Illawarra, the Central West, the Hunter, the Far West, the South East, New England and last year Albury.
News Directors/Ed's note: Media are welcome to attend the Community Leaders' Breakfast at Griffith Exies Club, 648 Dean Street, Albury, at 7.15am on Wednesday 24 July 2013. Please RSVP to the Commission's Manager Communications & Media, Nicole Thomas, at nthomas@icac.nsw.gov.au or telephone 02 8281 5799.
Media enquiries: ICAC Manager Communications & Media, Nicole Thomas, 02 8281 5799 / 0417 467 801