Managing Conflict of Interest - Organisation for Economic Co ...

Codes and Conduct in the Public Sector 159• Chapters 5 and 6 deal with managing relationships with thepublic, including stakeholders.• Chapter 8 deals with appropriate use of Commonwealthresources.• Chapter 9 deals squarely with conflict of interest. The Commissionhas recently released a circular providing guidance to agenciesand employees on circumstances in which written declarations ofpersonal interest would be required (www.apsc.gov.au/circulars/circular071.htm).• Chapter 10 deals with employees’ responsibilities in relationto gifts and benefits (which, if not appropriately handled, maygive rise to a perception of conflict of interest or, in worse cases,openness to receiving bribes). This is also covered in Chapter 14on working overseas.• Chapters 11 and 12 deal with outside and post-separationemployment (which, if not handled appropriately, may give riseto a perception of conflict of interest). The Commission hasrecently released a circular providing further guidance on themanagement of possible conflicts of interest and other probityissues when employees leave the APS to take up employmentin fields that are aligned to their APS responsibilities (www.apsc.gov.au/circulars/circular073.htm).Annex III: Australian Public Service Commission’s Role (APSC)The Australian Public Service Commission does not have a “policing” role:• The Commission provides an important central role withinthe APS: promoting the APS Values, evaluating agencies’performance and compliance, and helping to build the capabilityof the APS.• The Public Service Commissioner has both statutory powers(under the Public Service Act 1999) and policy responsibilities.• The Commissioner reports annually to Parliament on the stateof the Service, including an evaluation of the extent to whichagencies have incorporated the APS Values and the adequacyof their systems and procedures for ensuring compliance withthe Code of Conduct.• The Commission produces a range of guidance material andadvice, and provides a range services to help agencies meettheir obligations and embed the APS Values in their cultures andpractices.ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific