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Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Blackmail	Any payment obtained by intimidation, threats of injurious revelations or accusations. The extortion of this payment.A general term covering a number of statutory offences involving obtaining money and other property by using threats of violence, threats to accuse of a crime, or other menacing conduct. Making an unwarranted demand with menaces with a view to gain or to cause a loss, for example, threatening to publish embarrassing material unless something is done in return, such as money or favours.
Breach of policy or procedures	The breaking or violation of a law, right, obligation, engagement, or duty, either by commission or omission.
Bribe or bribery	Any valuable consideration given or promised in return for corrupt behaviour in the performance of official or public duty. Anything given or serving to persuade or induce.
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Collusion	Secret agreement for a fraudulent purpose; conspiracy. An arrangement between persons to do some act in order to injure a third person or deceive the court. For example, private sector companies agree on amounts to quote for public sector work; various public sector employees conspire to protect another public sector employee.
Conflict of interest	Failure to provide information about a conflict of interest. To take advantage of that conflict of interest.
Contempt	Words or actions which interfere with the proper administration of justice or constitute a disregard for the authority of the court. Contempt of court comprises both the physical disturbance of particular proceedings in a court that prevent the court from attending to its business, and any interference with the authority of the court that impairs confidence and respect in the court and its judgements.
Corruption	Corruption is included in the most serious form of misconduct.
Cronyism	Unfair partiality shown, especially in political appointments, for one's friends.
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Destroying evidence	The destruction of information or evidence. For example, shredding information that has been requested by the Corruption and Crime Commission.
Discrimination	To make a distinction, as in favour of or against a person or thing. The power of making distinctions; discriminating judgment. For example, a person does not get a job because they were known to have made a protected disclosure at their last place of employment.
Duty to disclose	A responsibility or agreement to disclose information that may be relevant in a decision making process.(see also failure to disclose a conflict of interest)
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Election bribery	Bribery used specifically to influence situations where voting occurs.
Election fraud	Fraud which occurs in relation to elections or voting. For example, to fake someone else's name and decision on a ballot form.
Embezzlement	To appropriate to one's own use, money or property entrusted to one's possession.
Extortion	To use one's position or office to obtain money or other things of value, when none is due or not so much is due, or before it is due. Oppressive, threatening or illegal extraction - as of excessive price or interest.
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Fabrication	To fake or forge. The process of creating a fake story or document, an untruthful statement.
Failure to advertise appropriately	Failure to provide a means for a person's fair and reasonable ability to gain knowledge of an event. Failure to disclose a conflict of interest - Failure to provide information about a conflict of interest. Or to take advantage of that conflict of interest.
Failure to take action	The failure to act upon information about corruption within the public sector.
Fraud	Deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.
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Gifts	Something given, a present, the act of giving, the power or right of giving. Corruption occurs when the gift is meant to, or would possibly influence, the public official.
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Improper use of information	Using information to give a particular person an advantage. For example, sending out interview questions for a job to one of the applicants; using inside information to buy land which will be re-zoned.
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Misuse of public resources	Using public resources for something other than what they were allocated for.
Misconduct	Misconduct occurs when a public officer abuses their authority for personal gain, or to cause detriment to another person, or acts contrary to the public interest.
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Nepotism	Patronage bestowed by public officers in consideration of a family relationship and not merit.
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Pecuniary interest	A situation where a public official has a personal monetary interest in their official duties. For example, a local council employee makes decisions about development applications for their own business.
Public officer	individual employed in the public sector agency.
Public sector	There are more than 330 organisations which make up the Western Australian public sector. These include government departments, government instrumentalities, boards, universities and local governments.
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Serious Misconduct	Serious misconduct occurs when a public officer corruptly misuses their authority for gain for themselves or others, or to cause detriment to another person; or in their official capacity commits an offence punishable by two or more years’ imprisonment.
Secret commission	-Rewards that influence decision-making. Secret profit - Benefits gained at work without the knowledge of one's employer
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Tampering with evidence	To meddle, especially for the purpose of altering, damaging, misusing something. Suppressing, concealing, destroying, altering or falsifying evidence that is or may be required in a judicial proceeding.
Theft	The act of stealing. For example, claiming travel-allowance from two sources for the same trip.
Treating	To provide someone with goods, services or information as an inducement. For example, a human resources manager takes a potential employee out to lunch as an inducement to take up the job.
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Unauthorised access/release of information	Using information that the public official is not supposed to have access to, or failure to protect unauthorised use, or disclosure of information given in confidence or in connection with the performance of public duty or function. Giving information to others when they are not supposed to have it
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Victimisation	To make a victim of someone. To discipline or punish selectively or unfairly, especially as a result of an industrial dispute.
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