Corruption Matters - June 2015 - Issue 45

Applications now invited for ICAC scholarships

Picture of scholarships form

Senior state and local government executives and managers in NSW are invited to apply for one of 10 scholarships to attend the short course “Strategic responses to corruption”. Tracy Burgess, a director at NSW Trustee & Guardian (NSWTG), was a scholarship recipient in 2014 and shares her experience as a course participant.

Public sector agencies have implemented a range of corruption prevention and risk management strategies with varying degrees of success. This course, which is jointly run by the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) and the ICAC, uncovers some of the reasons why corrupt conduct continues to occur despite considerable efforts to prevent it.

The course will be held in Sydney from 13 to 16 October 2015 and conducted by Dr Robert Waldersee and Adam Shapiro of the ICAC’s Corruption Prevention Division.

Over these four days, participants will be exposed to a range of concepts and analytical tools that they can use to identify weaknesses and opportunities in their organisation's operational arrangements. Once these vulnerabilities have been identified, participants can use the information to help build a leaner, more robust system that is naturally resistant to corruption.

Scholarship applicants must demonstrate that they are leaders or potential leaders who have been charged with implementing change or reform. The work areas they are responsible for must have significant risk for corruption. The expectation is that participants will apply the skills and concepts acquired on the course to the corruption risks identified.

The scholarship covers the non-residential fee of $4,995. All other expenses (salary, travel, per diems and accommodation) remain the responsibility of the employing state agency, local council or the individual.

Tracy, describe the areas you manage as director of specialist services at NSWTG.

In addition to carrying the chief audit executive role under TPP09-05 [Treasury Policy Paper, Internal Audit and Risk Management Policy for the NSW Public Sector], I also have responsibility of taxation services, legal services, property services, records management services, business management services, private management services, learning and development services, financial planning services, investment services, budget services, benefits services, disability advisory services and personal insurance services.

You attended last year’s “Strategic responses to corruption” executive short course. How engaging did you find the workshop in terms of its content, presenters and other participants?

The course was very participant-oriented. There was a lot of engagement. Each concept was explained and discussed and then practically worked through by the participants.

What did you find most useful about the workshop?

The activities were the most helpful. To work through exercises with others at my table for things that I may not necessarily have thought about before was very useful.

Can you provide an example of how you have been able to apply what you learnt in the workshop to your work at NSWTG?

The Yarra Valley water [best practice] example was ideal. I was able to take that example and map it against current client service delivery modelling for NSWTG and work controls that we had never considered before to reduce the risk.

Who do you think would benefit from attending the course?

I think anyone would benefit from the course. It is of most benefit to public servants at levels that can actually implement change.

The ICAC provides 10 scholarships to attend the course. You applied for a scholarship and were successful. How did you find the application process?

I found the process was simple and there was support available, if required. The form was clear and the instructions made sense. I was kept informed every step of the way.

Would you encourage other senior executives in the NSW public sector to attend?

Absolutely! I already have.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The two presenters were a critical part of the success of the program. They were engaging, responsive and very knowledgeable.

Scholarship applications close at 5 pm (AEST) on Friday, 31 July 2015. You can apply for, or learn more about, the scholarships here.

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