Today is International Anti-Corruption Day, a day to reflect on the impact that corruption has around the world and to recognise that no country, region or community is immune to this crime – including here in Western Australia.
It’s also a timely reminder of the role every public officer across the government sector has in preventing misconduct and corruption. The community expects us all to demonstrate the highest level of integrity in our decisions, actions and behaviours. This means doing the right thing.
As the Integrity Strategy for WA Public Authorities 2020-2023 highlights, detection and prevention are not just a single activity. An integrity mindset has to be embedded in an organisation through governance and administration, systems and controls, culture and attitude, and accountabilities and responses.
The Public Sector Commission’s new guide to managing the risks of gifts, benefits and hospitality has been designed to help public authorities:
- understand their risk environment
- use ethical codes and policies to set expectations
- educate, communicate and reinforce expectations
- record, review and monitor practice.
When implemented, these practices can reduce the likelihood of staff inappropriately accepting or providing gifts, benefits and hospitality; and clients, suppliers and stakeholders inappropriately offering them.
While International Anti-Corruption Day is an important reminder, it is just one day in the calendar. We must all commit every day to stamping out corruption in the public sector.
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