Prevention and Education

The Corruption Prevention, Education and Research (CPER) Directorate works with the public sector and local government agencies and with other oversight bodies to reduce corruption and to assist public sector agencies to develop their corruption prevention capacity.

The Commission has developed the misconduct resistance framework to help public sector agencies better manage misconduct by increasing factors that prevent misconduct from occurring, and eliminating the factors that foster misconduct.

The main objective is to enhance agency strategies in both areas, integrating misconduct resistance with existing agency strategic planning, corporate governance and operational systems in a way that is effective, and produces measurable performance benefits.

Using an outcome based approach, the framework identifies that to achieve successful misconduct resistance agencies need to create and maintain:

• The right agency culture
• The right agency operational strategies
• The right agency management environment.

These outcomes and their supporting key elements provide the benchmark for measuring the adequacy and effectiveness of agency misconduct resistance approaches.

The framework is supported by an Integration Guide and a series of targeted tools. Further information about these can be accessed by clicking here.

Corruption Prevention Consultancy

CPER provides information to, consults with and makes recommendations to public authorities. A consultancy network has been established so agencies can have practical and rapid advice on particular issues of concern as they arise. Corruption prevention consultants have been assigned to each of six major portfolios, corresponding approximately to the Shared Services Model and also including the local government sector. These consultants provide advice on corruption prevention strategies and individual misconduct issues. If necessary, consultants visit agencies to work with staff on customised corruption prevention strategies.

Where appropriate, Commission reports identify systemic weaknesses and include corruption prevention recommendations or advice. These might be specific to one particular agency, or address thematic trends and issues across related agencies. Where agencies are affected by these reports, staff are available to assist with the implementation of Commission recommendations.

Education

CPER has an education program to ensure public sector staff in both metropolitan and regional areas are aware of the Commission's role and of their notification responsibilities. Seminars are developed and presented to staff across all public sector agencies on a range of corruption prevention topics. Education programs are also conducted in the community to enhance the public's knowledge of the Commission and its functions.

Please contact the Commission for further information on corruption prevention and for details of scheduled visits to regional areas.

Education Materials

• Dealing with Conflicts of Interest: A Practical Guide for the Western Australian Public Sector
• Dealing with Conflicts of Interest: A Practical Guide for the Western Australian Public Sector - Local Government
• Integrity Coordinating Group Conflicts of Interest Guidelines
• Newsletters

Regional Consultancy

CPER have a commitment, in line with the State Government's strategic goals, to prioritise the needs of regional areas.CPER have developed a misconduct prevention program for regional support that includes:

• Sector wide educational presentations on issues and themes of local relevance
• Community awareness forums
• Individual agency consultations
• Customised prevention products or tools
• Advice and information about specific misconduct risk issues

CPER consultants have been allocated to three regional portfolios: Kimberley & Pilbara; Midwest, Goldfields, Gascoyne & Wheatbelt; and Southern & Great Southern.

Inquiries

From time to time the Commission undertakes corruption prevention inquiries in relation to specific issues of concern. Inquiries are comprehensive and examine legislative and policy frameworks, as well as organisational factors which may present a corruption risk. Inquiries result in recommendations for improvements in relevant areas, such as legislative and policy change. In accordance with the Commission's function to improve the integrity of the public sector, the focus of inquiries is to reduce the incidence of corruption and to assist public sector authorities to develop their corruption prevention capacity.

Research

Knowledge about corruption risks and prevention issues is developed through long-term research programs, either resourced by the Commission or in partnership with the university sector.

The Commission is a 'partner investigator' in a jointly funded national research project Whistling While They Work: Enhancing the Theory and Practice of Internal Witness Management in the Australian Public Sector. This three-year project will run until the end of 2007.

The Integrity Coordinating Group

The Integrity Coordinating Group (ICG) was formed in 2004 to coordinate collaboration between four State agencies responsible for the promotion of integrity in the public sector. The members are the Auditor General, the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, the Corruption and Crime Commissioner, and the State Ombudsman.