Corruption Matters - Issue 50

A word from the Chief Commissioner

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It is my pleasure to write to you for the first time as the Chief Commissioner of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. As many of you know, I was recently appointed to this role, and am honoured to be working alongside Commissioners Patricia McDonald SC and Stephen Rushton SC and a team of highly skilled and dedicated staff. The Commissioners and I are pleased to be able to bring our diverse knowledge and experience to the ICAC, which is an extremely important institution
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Cybercrime: the new game changer

Esther George

As a young lawyer in the UK in the 1990s, Esther George was given a tip by a friend: specialise in computer crime. She attended courses on the side and learnt how to build computers from scratch, largely teaching herself. By the turn of the millennium, Esther was firmly in her lane prosecuting hackers and the like. Esther will attend the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference in Sydney, 14–16 November, to speak about her experiences as a cybercrime expert.
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Controls that helped intercept corruption

Operation Credo report cover

In August this year, the ICAC released its long-awaited report on Operation Credo , the investigation into dealings between Australian Water Holdings (AWH) and Sydney Water Corporation. Three members of Parliament and a senior staff member were found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct. The public standing of the individuals involved garnered a lot of attention, but it is also true that strong controls, practices and staff combined to thwart what would have been a very lucrative deal.
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Apply now for an ICAC scholarship

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Fifteen scholarships worth close to $5,000 each are on offer to attend Strategic Responses to Corruption, a four-day course run by the ICAC together with the Australia and New Zealand School of Government. Applications close 8 December.
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Governance 101: a lesson for all councils

Ricco

Robust financial controls and effective governance mechanisms are essential tools in preventing corruption. As a recently released ICAC investigation report demonstrates, failures in these areas can facilitate corruption on an overwhelming scale.
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Assessing reprisal risk

Assessing reprisal risk

When it comes to staff reporting wrongdoing in the workplace, all public authorities have an obligation to manage the risk that these staff members may face detrimental action in reprisal. The NSW Ombudsman has released a new template and revised guidance to assist authorities to identify, analyse, treat and monitor the risk of reprisals and any related workplace conflict.
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What do you think?

person completing online survey on a laptop

Each year, the ICAC researches, produces and publishes corruption prevention and research publications. We want to know if they are helpful in assisting public sector agencies to identify and deal with specific areas of corruption risk. Obtaining feedback regarding the effectiveness of the ICAC’s publications is vital to our review process. We would appreciate your taking the time to answer the following survey.
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In other news

In other news

Some 500 delegates will gather in Sydney in November to hear the opinions of more than 70 experts at the biennial Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference (APSACC). The conference will commence on 14 November with six interactive workshops. Below you will find information on these workshops in addition to recent events hosted by the ICAC.
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