Ethics and Conduct Policy

Purpose. This policy sets out how the public sector values and the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees apply to everyone who works in the Department of Community Programs, and what the department expects when public duty and private interests meet.

1.Purpose and scope

The department exercises public power and spends public money. Every employee, contractor, secondee and board member must act in a way that maintains public confidence in the department and the government it serves. This policy applies at work, when representing the department, and in private conduct that reflects on the department, including on social media.

2.Public sector values

Employees must demonstrate the values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights in the Public Administration Act 2004. Advice to the Minister and the executive must be frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence, regardless of whether it is welcome.

• Responsiveness: provide frank, impartial and timely advice
• Integrity: be honest, open and transparent
• Impartiality: make decisions on merit without bias
• Accountability: work to clear objectives and accept scrutiny
• Respect: treat everyone fairly and with courtesy
• Leadership: model the values at every level
• Human rights: respect and promote the rights in the Charter

3.Conflicts of interest

A conflict of interest exists when a private interest could influence, or be seen to influence, the performance of public duty. Employees must declare every actual, potential or perceived conflict on the conflict of interest declaration form as soon as they become aware of it and before taking part in any decision. Managers must record the declaration and the management plan and must review declarations annually and whenever duties change.

4.Gifts, benefits and hospitality

Employees must not solicit gifts or benefits and must not accept any gift, benefit or hospitality that could be seen to influence them. Token items of nominal value can be accepted and must be recorded in the gifts register if the value exceeds fifty dollars. Any offer from a grant applicant, tenderer or regulated provider must be declined and reported to the manager.

5.Use of public resources and information

Public resources, including time, vehicles, systems and information, must be used only for official purposes. Employees must not use information gained at work for private benefit and must not disclose official information except as authorised. Official records must be kept complete and accurate and must never be altered to misrepresent a decision.

6.Reporting wrongdoing

Employees must report suspected fraud, corruption, misconduct or serious breaches of this policy to their manager, the fraud control officer or directly to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. Reports made in good faith are protected under the public interest disclosure scheme and reprisal against a reporter is misconduct.

7.Breaches

A breach of this policy will be managed under the department's misconduct procedure and can result in counselling, formal warnings, demotion or termination. Suspected criminal conduct will be referred to Victoria Police or the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.