Identification of potential risks of misconduct in processes employed by some of the larger metropolitan Councils will benefit Local Governments across Western Australia according to the Western Australia Local Government Association (WALGA).
Voluntary audits of five large metropolitan Local Governments in Western Australia for the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) from 2013 have identified potential risks of misconduct in some purchasing and procurement processes.
A report on the audits of the participating Councils – the Cities of Cockburn, Joondalup, Perth, Swan and Wanneroo – and a review of the City of Stirling, was tabled in Parliament recently by the Minister for Local Government, Tony Simpson.
WALGA President Mayor Troy Pickard said it was important to make the distinction that the CCC identified potential risks in some processes rather than reporting any new cases of misconduct.
In regard to actual allegations of misconduct and corruption received by the CCC over the past two years, the overwhelming majority involved State Government departments and agencies.
Of the 13,408 allegations of misconduct and corruption to the CCC in that time, just 618 related to Councils while between 11,353 and 12,691 were against State Government agencies.
“The CCC report was very clear that they identified potential risks in processes, not any current cases of misconduct with references only to past cases that have already been reported and redressed,” Mayor Pickard said.
“The potential for misconduct is unfortunately a risk in government and business but at least this process affords Councils an opportunity to ensure appropriate processes are in place to mitigate the risk of any misconduct.”
Mayor Pickard said that in view of the potential wider benefit to the Local Government sector, WALGA will conduct a Best Practice in Procurement Forum and invite representatives from the CCC and Department of Local Government and Communities.
He said WALGA already offered procurement assistance and compliance services to Councils and was currently developing a Best Practice Procurement Self-Assessment checklist for the sector.
“Any allegations of misconduct are serious as are the potential risks identified in the CCC report, which provides a chance for the sector to be proactive.
“I would like to recognise and commend the metropolitan Local Governments that participated in the audits for their willingness to voluntarily open their processes to scrutiny.
“Given the weight of actual allegations against other sectors of government, I believe it is reasonable to expect those agencies to follow the example of Local Government and also now participate in a comprehensive review process.”
