International Anti-Corruption Day’s (9 December) proximity to the festive season is a timely reminder of the importance of transparency around the declaration of gifts and benefits to avoid undue influence and meet policy obligations.
In the five-year period from 2017 to 2021, there was a 29% increase in allegations relating to the corruption category ‘Failure of Duty’ which includes the non-declaration of gifts and benefits. The festive period, with its gift giving traditions and social engagements, can blur the lines between acceptable and inappropriate behaviour and that could be the start of grooming, which can be disguised as friendship.
Gifts can be tangible or intangible and can include:
- boxes of chocolates or bottles of wine
- travel
- lunches
- event tickets and more.
Think if you should accept. If you are offered gifts such as chocolate or wine, invitations to coffee, lunch, sporting, or other events, ask yourself if there’s evidence of grooming.
You might be wondering “what’s one gift? This one can’t hurt can it?” Investigations into proven instances of corruption have shown that groomers are brilliant at creating false friendships and using gifts and benefits to manipulate someone in a position of power.
Before accepting a gift consider if:
- you’re being offered this gift because of the position you hold
- this person may want something now or in the future
- colleagues or others would consider this a ‘bad look.’
Accepting a gift without considering the consequences could put you at risk of:
- being perceived by colleagues that you’re taking bribes
- unconsciously influencing decisions made by the organisation
- bad impressions or expectations after keeping gifts
- compromising the good name of the organisation and the public sector.
If you work in the private sector, consider the consequences for yourself in giving gifts and others in accepting. Keep in mind that people working in sensitive roles such as procurement, infrastructure projects and recruitment are particularly exposed to risks if they accept gifts, no matter how small, so don’t be offended if they decline.
The CCC will continue to work together with Queensland’s public sector to strengthen transparency and minimise the risks of improper influence.
As former Ipswich City Council CEO Carl Wulff, who was convicted of corrupt conduct says, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”. Mr Wulff’s recount of how corruption starts small, often with accepting a coffee, can end with cash bribes and devastating consequences for himself, his family, and the organisation.
For more information on gifts and benefits, and grooming consequences read:
