NSW public sector Agencies are being urged to establish robust corruption control programs and test the maturity of their current programs with the launch of a new guide from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
Launching its Assessing Corruption Control Maturity, ICAC said the guide was designed so PS Agencies could assess their corruption control systems and processes, and then map their strengths and weaknesses.
“NSW public sector Agencies face a variety of corruption risks,” the ICAC said.
“While it is challenging to manage these risks effectively and efficiently, the challenge is reduced if an Agency establishes a robust corruption control program,” it said.
“This publication provides guidance to NSW public sector Agencies on better practice corruption control to help them establish such a program.”
The ICAC said the guide equipped Agencies with the means to answer two key questions, how robust are their corruption control systems and processes and how do they organise and coordinate their corruption control efforts?
It said as part of research for the guide, the Commission consulted with and/or reviewed publications provided by other anti-corruption and integrity Agencies; private sector, Government and non-government organisations with expertise in corruption control; corruption control specialists; relevant standards, guidelines and related documents; academic research; and the ICAC’s own data holdings.
“This research highlighted that while there is considerable guidance available regarding distinct elements of corruption control, there was no document that provided a detailed overview of what a better practice corruption control framework looks like for NSW public sector Agencies,” the ICAC said.
“The Commission does not expect Agencies to be at the High maturity level for every feature at any point in time,” it said.
“This is because all Agencies face challenges to establishing and maintaining better practice corruption control.”
The Commission said this was due to factors such as public sector complexity and machinery of government changes, resource limitations and staff turnover, and ongoing changes in the corruption risk environment.
The ICAC’s 59-page Guide can be accessed at this PS News link.
