The Independent Commission Against Corruption has commenced the evaluation of the practices, policies and procedures of a number of public authorities concerning their grants administration.
According to the Commission, grants vary significantly in their purpose, monetary value and beneficiaries, involving the distribution of significant sums of public money to support business and innovation, provide emergency relief, aid projects and enrich communities.
The Commissioner of ICAC, Ann Vanstone (pictured) said that without robust processes and supervision, grant programs can be exploited by public officers and grant recipients.
“As well as identifying areas for improvement in the way in which grants are administered by public authorities, the evaluation will provide the opportunity to highlight practices, policies and procedures which are apt to guard against corruption,” Commissioner Vanstone said.
“In the coming days, I will write to a number of public authorities seeking details of the grants they administer and the processes they employ”, she said.
“Those responses will inform our subsequent activities, which will include reviewing specific grants programs, conducting interviews and inviting submissions.”
The Commissioner said she intended to deliver a report to Parliament by the end of the year.
More information on ICAC’s grants administration can be accessed at this PS News link.
