Page 1270 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 April 1994

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .


CHIEF MINISTER FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

Question No. 1188

Government Service - Officers Involved in Joint Ventures

MRS CARNELL: Asked the Chief Minister upon notice on 24 February 1994

In relation to departmental officers appointed to directorships in

Government/Private Enterprise joint ventures -

(1) What guidelines apply to the conduct of officers acting on behalf of the A.C.T. Government.

(2) If there are no guidelines, why not.

(3) Are officers required to disclose any interest in any commercial activity, whether or not it has dealings with the A.C.T. Government.

(4) What penalties apply to officers who breach disclosure requirements.

(5) Have any officers been found to exploit their role; and

(a) if so, what action was taken against them; and

(b) who and what were the circumstances.

MS FOLLETT - The answer to the Members question is as follows

(1) The Guidelines on Official Conduct of Commonwealth Public Servants

(2) are used by all ACTGS employees. The guidelines say that an officer

(3) who has an interest, pecuniary or otherwise, that could conflict with the

proper performance of his or her duties shall, as soon as possible after

the relevant facts have come to the officers notice (a) disclose that

interest to his or her supervisor and, (b) take whatever action is required

to avoid that conflict.

Officers of the Department of the Environment, Land and Plannings Land Division who are appointed to directorships in Government/Private Enterprise joint ventures are expected to adhere to Land Divisions code of ethics, a copy of which is attached.

The Department of Environment, Land and Planning has taken steps to ensure that officers representing the Government on joint ventures cannot be responsible for any of the approvals stemming from the joint venture. To avoid this potential conflict of interest, the Department has taken officers involved in joint venture directorships "off line" and will make the same arrangement in any similar situation that may arise in the future.

1270


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .