The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has released two new resources to help State and Local government sectors build their integrity responses to prevent corrupt conduct during times of emergency and crisis.
IBAC said the current COVID-19 pandemic was having an unprecedented impact on social and work environments.
“The need for an immediate response to emergencies, coupled with remote work arrangements and pressing demands on our public sector, presents new opportunities and risks for corruption,” the Commission said.
“Experiences in other jurisdictions and overseas also show that changes to the way Government services are delivered during times of crisis can create misconduct and corruption risks,” it said.
“To support the Victorian public sector, IBAC has identified key corruption risks facing State and Local Government agencies during emergencies and crisis situations, associated warning signs or ‘red flags’, and suggested prevention measures to help minimise risk.”
IBAC said its State Government information sheet highlighted corruption risks during times of emergency and alerted public sector Agencies to opportunities to strengthen systems, and practices to mitigate them.
“It is appropriate that Agencies review their corruption prevention and detection strategies during times of crises, to ensure strategies are effective in minimising misconduct and corruption risks, but also proportionate to the circumstances,” the Commission said.
It said it would continue to engage with key Agencies across the Victorian public sector to help raise awareness of the risks highlighted in its information sheet, and help them develop appropriate corruption prevention strategies.
IBAC’s five-page State Government information sheet can be accessed at this PS News link.
