Fraud/Whistleblowers

Fraud

In accordance with Public Sector Regulation (2010) there were three instances of fraud confirmed during the year. One instance involved unauthorised access to a departmental system, another to falsification of timesheet records with disciplinary action taken in both instances. The third involved the inappropriate accumulation of reward points for personal benefit, with the case currently being finalized.

In addition to direct disciplinary action taken, the department continues to assess and test controls as part of its internal audit processes. Recommendations for improvement in the affected areas have been, or will be, issued and monitored.

The department’s fraud control framework strategies for fraud prevention, detection, investigation, awareness, training and reporting, based on the Australian Standard 8001–2008 Fraud and Corruption Control will continue to be improved and strengthened during 2015-16, with the department continuing to promote appropriate behaviour in line with Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector.

Reporting against the Whistleblowers Protection
Act 1993

The department has appointed a responsible officer for the purposes of the Whistleblowers Protection Act 1993 (WPA) pursuant to Section 7 of the Public Sector Act 2009.

There has been no instance of disclosure of public interest information to a responsible officer of the department under the WPA for the reporting year.