Shannon Leslie Byrne
ICAC Launches Corruption Prevention Initiative in Illawarra
Thursday 22 November 2018
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is set to visit the Illawarra next week as part of a rural and regional outreach effort, designed to provide anti-corruption programs and training to various centers throughout the state.
From 26 to 30 November, the visit will be centered in Wollongong, featuring workshops for state and local government entities to learn the latest techniques for preventing corrupt practices. Additionally, efforts will be made to raise community awareness about corruption risks and the roles and functions of the ICAC.
Chief Commissioner the Hon Peter Hall QC highlighted that preventing corruption is a fundamental duty of the Commission, accomplished through training and enhancing public officials' skills. “Strategies for promoting good practices and managing corruption risks are constantly evolving, so staying updated with the latest information and techniques is vital to preventing corrupt conduct,” stated Chief Commissioner Hall.
“We have received 118 registrations from 33 agencies for the Wollongong workshops, indicating that public officials in the area are keen to enhance their skills and knowledge in corruption prevention. This will ultimately benefit the local community by fostering responsible and ethical practices in local public sector agencies.”
As part of the visit, Chief Commissioner Hall will lead a community leaders’ forum on Thursday 29 November, joined by Deputy NSW Ombudsman, Mr. Chris Wheeler. Chief Commissioner Hall will discuss the ICAC's roles and functions, while Mr. Wheeler will cover the role of the NSW Ombudsman.
The scheduled workshops include corruption prevention for managers, focusing on understanding corruption, its causes, and preventive measures managers can implement; and fact-finder, an introductory session for those who may need to conduct internal investigations into complaints or allegations of staff misconduct or corruption.
New workshops introduced since the last outreach visit will include corruption prevention for planning professionals, aimed at town planners and related public officials; corruption prevention in procurement and contract management, designed to help managers and staff identify system weaknesses and corruption opportunities; and good governance in small boards, covering topics on how local Aboriginal land council and NGO board members and staff contribute to building good governance.
The community leaders’ forum will host over 50 attendees, including elected officials and senior staff from local and state government agencies and community interest groups. Participating local agencies and groups include Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre, Community Industry Group, Department of Primary Industries, Department of Family and Community Services, Illawarra Christian Education, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council, Land and Housing Corporation, Local Land Services, Mental Health Carers ARAFMI Illawarra, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, NSW Police Force, Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council, Office of Environment and Heritage, Office of Local Government Revenue NSW, Public Works Advisory, Service NSW, Shoalhaven Women’s Health Centre, TAFE NSW, and Transport for NSW. Wollongong City, Shellharbour City, Shoalhaven City, and Kiama Municipal councils are also expected to participate.
The ICAC rural and regional outreach program has been highly successful since its inception in 2001, with previous visits to western NSW, the central coast, the Hunter, the southeast, the central west, the north coast, the northern inland, the south coast, the far west, Riverina Murray, and the Blue Mountains. The last visit to the Illawarra was in October 2009.