Corruption Matters - December 2023 | Issue 62
Investigation, influence and impact: the 2022-23 year in review
The Commission experienced a busy and impactful year in the 2022-23 reporting period, making findings of serious corrupt conduct against 22 public officials and achieving its highest KPI result for investigation timeliness in five years, as captured in the recently released Annual Report.
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Corrupt conduct involving planning decisions again rears
its head
The Commission recently released its report, Investigation into the conduct of the City of Canada Bay Council mayor and others (Operation Tolosa). In the report, the Commission observed that Operation Tolosa is the sixth report since 2021 to concern itself with corrupt conduct involving planning decisions, in particular, where planning intersects with councillors’ powers to make decisions.
Operation Galley finds serious corrupt conduct by former Hurstville City/Georges River councillors and others
In August, the Commission found that three former Hurstville City and/or Georges River councillors, and others, engaged in serious corrupt conduct by receiving or giving benefits in relation to two large development proposals, which the councillors supported without declaring any conflicts of interest.
Minister and MP education initiative continues
The education of members of Parliament (MPs), including ministers, is an area of focus for the Commission.
Hunter and Central Coast Outreach 2023
The Commission was joined by the NSW Ombudsman and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) to engage with public officials and community members in the Hunter and Central Coast region in November 2023 as the Rural and Regional Outreach Program returned after a four year hiatus, due to the Pandemic.
New report examines compliance with fraud and corruption control
NSW state government agencies will be familiar with The NSW Treasury Circular TC18-02 NSW Fraud and Corruption Control Policy, which sets out the minimum standards for an agency’s fraud and corruption control framework. But to what extent do agencies really comply with this circular?
New advice on managing the risks associated with supplier panels
NSW public sector agencies regularly establish panels of approved or pre-qualified suppliers as part of the agency’s procurement strategy. While these panels can provide efficiencies in the purchasing process, they also must be properly established, operated and maintained to mitigate the risk of corruption and abuse.
Commencement of the new PID Act 2022
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act 2022) commenced on 1 October 2023. The PID Act 2022 replaces the previous PID Act 1994 in its entirety, and provides the framework for public officials to report serious wrongdoing in the NSW public sector.
Creating a “speak-up culture” with the new PID Act
Find out more about the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 and our "Blowing the Whistle" fact sheet.
Video resources to promote staff learning
Whether your training is run in-house or by an external provider, the Commission encourages you to incorporate relevant videos from its YouTube channel.
Nature and impact of artificial intelligence on corrupt conduct
On 25 October 2023, the Commission provided its submission to the New South Wales Parliament’s Inquiry into artificial intelligence (AI) in NSW.
APSACC 2024 is coming to Darwin
The Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference (APSACC) is coming to Darwin, Northern Territory from 29 to 31 July 2024.