The perception of public sector corruption is on the rise, according to recent surveys uncovered by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).
Executive Director of Prevention and Communication at IBAC, Linda Timothy said that over 12,000 people participated in the Victorian perceptions of corruption 2022 surveys, with State and local Government employees, Victoria Police, business suppliers and community members sharing their perceptions of corruption and attitudes towards reporting in Victoria.
Dr Timothy said the surveys revealed an increase in the perception that public sector corruption and police misconduct were a problem in Victoria, when compared to 2019 and 2016 survey results.
“In addition, procurement and recruitment are seen as high-risk areas for corruption and misconduct, with favouritism, bullying and harassment perceived as the most prevalent breaches of professional conduct in the public sector and Victoria Police,” Dr Timothy said.
“A positive finding across all survey groups was that more people believe they ‘know what behaviour constitutes corruption’ compared to surveys undertaken in 2016,” she said.
“However, across all groups, there are significantly more people who think that corruption occurs in Victoria.”
Dr Timothy said results showed that people working in emergency services, transport, health, and depots within local councils were more likely to believe corruption was a problem, compared to other areas of the public sector.
She said Victorian public sector employees were least likely to say they knew how to report corruption or misconduct, with Police being the most likely.
The Executive Director said most survey respondents saw their workplace culture as at least ‘moderately’ ethical and that this cultural impact came from the top, but police were more likely to rate their organisational vulnerability as ‘high’.
“More than a third of business suppliers we surveyed decided not to bid for public sector or local government contracts in the last year because they were concerned about possible corruption or misconduct,” Dr Timothy said.
“This tells us that these areas should be a priority for support and education across agencies and the broader community, and that is something IBAC will be focusing on.”
Key findings of IBAC’s Victorian perceptions of corruption 2022 surveys can be accessed at this PS News link.
