Crime and Misconduct Commission staff will visit the Gold Coast to host free seminars for public servants, local government employees and councillors to equip them with skills to strengthen integrity and reduce misconduct in their workplace.
CMC Director of Complaints Services Helen Couper said over the two days staff and managers would be given first-hand experience in how to identify and prevent conflicts of interest as well as how to deal with complaints of misconduct.
‘Corruption often begins simply with a conflict of interest that’s not declared or managed effectively,’ she said.
‘Some areas in Queensland are experiencing high population growth and a boom in resources, and development, which can increase the potential for conflicts of interest leading to corruption if not properly managed.
‘We strongly believe that prevention is better than cure. Part of the CMC’s responsibility is to equip public agencies with information and resources to enhance their ability to prevent corruption.
‘It’s also important that managers take responsibility for the culture and behaviour of their staff. The CMC has a role to support managers in that responsibility and ultimately promote confidence in Queensland’s public sector.
‘The seminars for managers offer clear guidelines on how to identify, investigate or otherwise manage complaints through case studies, practical tips and step-by-step instructions.’
To find out what is of concern to stakeholders, CMC staff will also meet with various Gold Coast government agencies during the visit.
The CMC’s visit is part of an ongoing education program which includes seminars in various centres across the state, including Rockhampton next week, as well as Toowoomba, Warwick, the Cape York region and Cairns later this year.
The seminars will be held on 15 and 16 May at the Watermark Hotel & Spa, Surfers Paradise.
Ms Couper will be available for media interviews.
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