ICAC corruption prevention program to visit Blue Mountains

Wednesday 25 November 2015

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will visit the Blue Mountains next week, as part of the Commission's program to convey anti-corruption initiatives and training across the state.

The visit will be based in Katoomba. It will include workshops for state and local government agencies to increase awareness about corruption risks and learn ways to minimise corrupt conduct.

The ICAC Deputy Commissioner, Theresa Hamilton, said that the rural and regional outreach program enables the Commission to provide hands-on training for state and local government officials in their local area, while providing them with the opportunity to raise corruption prevention issues directly with ICAC staff.

"Corruption can occur anywhere in the state, and is not just confined to metropolitan areas," Ms Hamilton said. "It is important for those who serve in our state and local authorities to be aware of corruption risks and our workshops will help to equip them with the tools to prevent corrupt conduct in their agencies. I welcome those agencies that will be participating in the program, and am pleased to see that they are taking a proactive approach to managing corruption risks," Ms Hamilton said.

Workshops scheduled for this visit include corruption prevention for managers, which focuses on developing an understanding of the nature of corruption, how and why it occurs, and what managers can do to prevent it. There will also be a fact-finder workshop, which is an introductory workshop for those who may be required to conduct an internal fact-finding investigation into a complaint or allegations of staff wrongdoing, including misconduct or corrupt conduct.

The ICAC Commissioner, the Hon Megan Latham, will host a community leaders' breakfast as part of the visit, to be attended by approximately 55 people including the State Member for the Blue Mountains, Ms Trish Doyle MP, the Blue Mountains City Deputy Mayor, Councillor Chris Van der Kley and other Blue Mountains City councillors, representatives from state government agencies, schools and community interest groups. The visit will also include Mr Max Britton, Senior Investigation Officer with the NSW Ombudsman's Office, who will address the breakfast about the role of the Ombudsman.

Agencies attending the outreach activities include the NSW Department of Justice, Endeavour Energy, the Environment Protection Authority, Family and Community Services, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Juvenile Justice, NSW Health, and Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW. Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Penrith City Councils will also participate.

The ICAC rural and regional outreach program has proved highly successful since its inception in 2001. Previous visits have included to the central coast, the Illawarra, the Hunter, the far west, the south east, the central west, the Riverina, the northern inland, the south coast and the north coast.

Media enquiries and interview requests:
ICAC Manager Communications & Media, Nicole Thomas, 02 8281 5799 / 0417 467 801