The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has issued a new report to share a collection of corruption prevention and detection tips for Victorian Agencies.
Acting Commissioner at IBAC, Stephen Farrow said the report, Corruption risks associated with major transport infrastructure projects identified the key drivers of corruption that could impact major Victorian infrastructure projects.
A/Commissioner Farrow said the Report highlighted a number of corruption risks in the construction workforce including fraud, collusion and bribery during procurement.
“The research flags key corruption drivers such as complex systems, processes and operating environments; high-level political, performance and economic pressures to deliver; and conflict of interest consequences resulting from a small number of major contractors and a shortage of technical experts,” A/Commissioner Farrow said.
“Public sector organisations know that corruption prevention starts with strong integrity frameworks and corruption controls, but the culture and expectations of public sector integrity must extend to project partners and suppliers to be successful,” he said.
He said IBAC’s research identified a range of corruption prevention and detection tips for Agencies and suppliers including centralised risk assessment, detection and prevention measures; information sharing between integrity officers and those responsible for leadership; and developing a culture of integrity across entire projects.
“It is essential that leaders set the ‘tone at the top’ about integrity and that breaches of anti-corruption policies and codes of conduct will not be tolerated.
“When something is not right, it’s up to all public or private sector employees involved in delivering a major project to speak up and report any suspected wrongdoing,” A/Commissioner Farrow said.
“The findings of the report are broadly applicable to the entire major project sector and to agencies delivering high value, high risk projects,” he said.
IBAC’s 75-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
