The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has tabled its Yes Minister report highlighting the risks of corruption associated with ‘unsolicited proposals’.
The Commission completed its investigation into an allegation against a senior Minister who was believed to have used his position to arrange a Government contract for a personal associate, which could have been worth $3 million a year if approved.
The Commission said the Chief Executive and team responsible for assessing unsolicited proposals did not progress the bid and said the investigation found no evidence to suggest the Minister had made any promises that the proposal would be accepted.
It said, however some days later, that the same associate made a second proposal to the Government to purchase a related product from his business for $50,000.
ICAC Commissioner Ann Vanstone said she examined the proposal and found it was subjected to a process of due diligence.
“While it is reasonable that members of the public engage with Ministers for the purpose of raising matters of interest or to advocate for government action, Ministers need to be aware of their vulnerability in this regard,” Commissioner Vanstone said.
“When unsolicited proposals make their way from the private sector to Ministers through personal contacts there is the potential for preferential treatment or at least the perception of preferential treatment,” she said.
Commissioner Vanstone said Chief Executives must be empowered to assess unsolicited proposals without fear or favour correctly.
She said she commended the actions of the Chief Executive and his team in this matter and would make recommendations to strengthen existing guidance relating to the appraisal and assessment of unsolicited proposals.
The Commissioner’s full 9-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
