CCC increase not necessary rise in PS corruption

An increase in unprofessional conduct allegations against public servants being referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission does not mean there has been an increase in public authority corruption according to the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association.

Branch secretary Toni Walkington said the increase from 308 to 480 complaints overseen by the CCC in the last two financial years could be attributed to all complaints now being referred to them.

“It has become practice that all matters be referred to the CCC these days, a bit different to a couple of years ago when it was more at the discretion of the agency,” Ms Walkington said.

“Now the CCC looks at the allegations and decides whether or not to investigate them and if they don’t they are referred back to the agency.”

Ms Walkington also said the scope of investigations had been widened because of an increased community expectations of public authorities.

“Everything they do is in the public area and they are being held more accountable.

“Public authorities cannot claim commercial reasons to prevent the release of information.

“The standards of conduct expected of a public service worker are very high.”

Ms Walkington said it was hard to provide specific assistance to public servants because of CCC confidentially provisions that prohibited people from talking about any matters being investigated by the CCC.

“We are able to provide advice on the process but are not privy to the details of the complaint.

“In serious cases we may provide a referral to legal advice.”

“The powers of the CCC are considerable and it is important that people being investigated if called on to give evidence be afforded natural justice.”

Download pdf  CCC investigations (302.13 kB)

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