Page 1298 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 11 May 1993
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CHIEF MINISTER FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION
Question No 629
Government Service - Fraud Control
MR DE DOMENICO - Asked the Chief Minister upon notice on 24 March 1993:
In relation to the decisions taken by the Hawke Government in 1988 concerning fraud in the public sector -
(1) Has the ACT Government implemented similar methods.
(2) What was the staffing of the Investigations Unit in (a) January 1990 and (b) March 1993.
(3) Why was the Investigations Unit absorbed into another work area.
(4) Is there a general policy to downgrade the investigation of fraud mismanagement in the ACT Government Service, and if so, (a) what policy and (b) when was this policy announced.
MS FOLLETT - The answer to the members question is as follows:
(1) Prior to self-government commencing in the ACT in 1989, the decisions of the Hawke Government in respect of fraud control were implemented by the then ACT Administration. The key steps taken were the conduct of fraud risk assessments in areas of the Administration considered at a high risk of fraud, some training in fraud control issues for senior managers, and the establishment of the Investigations Unit, staffed with appropriately trained officers, to assist managers in the prevention, detection and investigation of fraud-related malpractice.
With self-government, the obligatory nature of the decisions of the Commonwealth Government has, of course, lapsed. However, the pre1989 arrangements for fraud control have continued. The Investigations Unit has provided assistance to Agency management by way of advice on overcoming systemic weaknesses, the conduct of training for staff, especially in public contact areas, and the investigation or referral to the AFP of the more serious allegations of malpractice. These investigations have led to the identification of offenders who have been dealt with before the courts, or through the discipline processes, as well as the results providing a basis on which Agencies can review systems and procedures seen to be vulnerable to fraud.
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