Statement of personal interests for chief executive officers

Supports CEOs to identify interests that have the potential to influence, or could be perceived to influence, decisions made or advice given by them.
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Chief executive officers (CEOs) must demonstrate the highest level of integrity consistent with the WA Public Sector Code of Ethics, their agency codes of conduct and their obligations under the Public Sector Management Act 1994.

The statement supports CEOs of departments and SES organisations for which the Public Sector Commissioner is  the employing authority to identify interests that have the potential to influence, or could be perceived to influence, decisions made or advice given by them.

Given the level of trust and responsibility vested in CEOs, this statement includes disclosure of interests they have knowledge of that are held by family members.

There are 3 steps:

Step 1 – Complete this statement
Step 2 – Determine if any conflicts of interest require a management plan
Step 3 – Submit the statement and, if applicable, a management plan

Note - CEOs of other organisations are welcome to use the statement without the requirement to send the statement and any plan to the Public Sector Commissioner.

Completing this statement

When completing this statement chief executive officers are to consider the functions and responsibilities of their agencies and their role and responsibilities.

Responsibility for the recognition of an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest rests with chief executive officers. Where any of these are identified they are to be declared and managed. Conflicts need to be managed in favour of the public interest rather than personal interests, and consistently with any applicable legislation, policy/procedures, Code of Ethics and agency codes of conduct.

Where conflicting interests are identified, chief executive officers must propose appropriate management strategies in a plan and submit both to the Public Sector Commissioner. The management plan may be developed in consultation with the agency governance area, legal counsel or State Solicitor’s Office.

Where more than 1 office is held (for example, a concurrent appointment) CEOs will need to consider their declared interests in the context of each role.

Statement frequency

  • Within one month of appointment
  • Annually (1 July or the first working day after)
  • Within one month when an interest has changed and the potential for a conflict of interest is altered by submitting a new statement
  • If directed to act as CEO by the Public Sector Commissioner, as soon as practical, but no later than 10 working days
  • Where a person is delegated to act by a CEO, any potential conflicts of interests are to be identified and managed in accordance with applicable legislation, policy/procedures, the Code of Ethics and agency code of conduct

Statement submission details

Each CEO is to complete this statement and a management plan (where applicable), and submit it to the Public Sector Commissioner via email CEOConnect@psc.wa.gov.au.

Defined terms

Chief executive officer (CEO): A person holding office under Division 2 of Part 3 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (PSM Act) as the chief executive of an agency.

Conflict of interest: A situation arising from a conflict between the officer’s personal interests and their public duty. A conflict of interest should always be managed in the public interest. A conflict of interest can be categorised as:

  • an actual, current conflict of interest where an officer’s personal interests and their public duty conflict
  • a potential conflict of interest where an officer’s personal interests and their public duty are likely to conflict sometime in the future
  • a perceived conflict of interest where a third party could form the view that personal interests could improperly influence an officer’s decisions or actions now or in the future.

Family: Spouse or de-facto partner, children or dependents over the age of 16.

Personal interests: Interests that may bring benefits or disadvantages to public officers as individuals and those they may wish to benefit or disadvantage. They arise from private and non-work life and are not limited to financial interests. They include close personal and business relationships, memberships and associations, and social and professional interests.

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