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Public Service Act 1999 Advice No. 28: Application of the APS Code of Conduct to certain statutory office holders
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See also: Employment policy |
Attachment 1: Code of conduct proposed by the Report of the Committee of Inquiry concerning public duty and private interest (the Bowen Report)
Principles for the avoidance and resolution of conflicts of interest
1. An officeholder should perform the duties of his office impartially, uninfluenced by fear or favour.
2. An officeholder should be frank and honest in official dealings with colleagues.
3. An officeholder should avoid situations in which his private interest, - whether pecuniary or otherwise, conflicts or might reasonably be thought to conflict with his public duty.
4. When an officeholder possesses, directly or indirectly, an interest which conflicts or might reasonably be thought to conflict with his public duty, or improperly to influence his conduct in the discharge of his responsibilities in respect of some matter with which he is concerned, he should disclose that interest according to the prescribed procedures. Should circumstances change after an initial disclosure has been made, so that new or additional facts become material, the officeholder should disclose the further information.
5. When the interests of members of his immediate family are involved, the officeholder should disclose those interests, to the extent that they are known to him.
6. When an officeholder (other than a Member of Parliament) possesses an interest which conflicts or might reasonably be thought to conflict with the duties of his office and such interest is not prescribed as a qualification for that office, he should forthwith divest himself of that interest, secure his removal from the duties in question, or obtain the authorisation of his superior or colleagues to continue to discharge the duties.
7. An officeholder should not use information obtained in the course of official duties to gain directly or indirectly a pecuniary advantage for himself or for any other person.
8. An officeholder should not:
- solicit or accept from any person any remuneration or benefit for the discharge of the duties of his office over and above the official remuneration;
- solicit or accept any benefit, advantage or promise of future advantage , whether for himself, his immediate family or any business concern or trust with which he is associated from persons who are in, or seek to be in, any contractual or special relationship with government;
- except as may be permitted under the rules applicable to his office, l accept any gift, hospitality or concessional travel offered in connection with the discharge of the duties of his office
9. An officeholder should be scrupulous in his use of public property and services, and should not permit their misuse by other persons.
10. An officeholder should not allow the pursuit of his private interest to interfere with the proper discharge of his public duties.
