Glossary

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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.

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.

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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.

Cronyism (see also nepotism)
Unfair partiality shown, especially in political appointments, for one's friends.

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.

Destroying evidence
The destruction of information or evidence. For example, shredding information that has been requested by the Corruption and Crime Commission.

Duty to disclose (see also failure to disclose a conflict of interest)
A responsibility or agreement to disclose information that may be relevant in a decision making process.

Embezzlement
To appropriate to one’s own use, money or property entrusted to one’s possession.

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.

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/ abuse of 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.

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.

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.

Misuse of public resources
Using public resources for something other than what they were allocated for.

Nepotism
Patronage bestowed by public officers in consideration of a family relationship and not merit.

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.

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Secret profit
Benefits gained at work without the knowledge of one’s employer.

Secret commission
Rewards that influence decision-making.

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.

Unauthorised access or 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.

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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