• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Win drought ends for Langy
  • Brown has another talented stayer on his hands
  • Pythons win a close one, Kangaroos clear on top
  • An update on activities in Balnarring
  • Morris calls on Wynne to ‘end’ Ryman application
  • Happy finish to greyhound’s run
  • Prom catch threat to bays’ whiting
  • Experts fancy strait flight for parrots
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWSMPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWSMPNEWS
Home»News»Councils warned about corruption
News

Councils warned about corruption

By Keith PlattOctober 7, 2019Updated:October 8, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire, neighbouring Frankston and municipalities across the state have been warned to watch out for corruption when buying goods and services.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) says corruption and kickbacks uncovered at Darebin and Ballarat councils “are likely to be faced by most, if not all, councils in Victoria”.

“Allegations of corruption associated with council procurement practices and processes are a recurring theme in the complaints received and investigated by IBAC,” IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich QC said.

In a special report to parliament IBAC warns that councils need to consider the way they manage procurement to reduce risks of corruption.

“This report highlights a range of procurement-related corruption risks and vulnerabilities which, while they were found in two councils, are likely to be faced by most if not all councils in Victoria,” Mr Redlich said.

IBAC investigated allegations that council employees at Darebin and Ballarat subverted procurement processes for their own benefit and the benefit of associates.

The report to parliament states that a former project manager at the Darebin City Council received cash, gifts and other benefits for helping an associate’s company win more than $16 million in contracts.

A former manager at the City of Ballarat Council had enabled associates and family to win contracts, in exchange for financial “kickbacks”. In 2017, the manager was convicted of a range of offences and sentenced to three years’ jail and ordered to repay $31,200.

Three other people, including his wife, pleaded guilty to other charges.

IBAC says Victorian councils collectively manage about $84 billion in public assets and annually spend around $7 billion on services.

“Considerable power is vested in council employees to source suppliers, manage contracts and authorise payment for goods, services and works – spending millions of dollars of public money,” Mr Redlich said.

“Public sector corruption it is not a victimless crime. It wastes taxes and rates that should be used to operate and maintain Victoria’s schools, hospitals, roads and other vital public services and projects. And it damages the reputation of organisations and undermines community’s confidence in the public sector.”

As a result of its investigations IBAC has recommended Local Government Victoria consider developing a code of conduct for local government suppliers, which would outline the standards expected of suppliers including in relation to reporting suspected misconduct or corrupt conduct on the part of council employees and other suppliers.

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 8 October 2019

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Morris calls on Wynne to ‘end’ Ryman application

May 17, 2022

Prom catch threat to bays’ whiting

May 17, 2022

Homeless camping trial under review

May 17, 2022

Seeking Jackson

May 9, 2022
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
May 22, 2022 - Sun
Mornington, Australia
14°C
clear sky
clear sky
1 m/s, SE
59%
771.82 mmHg
sun05/22 mon05/23 tue05/24 wed05/25 thu05/26
sky is clear
13/10°C
few clouds
12/10°C
sky is clear
15/11°C
broken clouds
15/11°C
light rain
15/14°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

April 27, 2022
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

March 2, 2022
Council Watch

Shire offers $500,000 to performing arts

May 2, 2022

Mayor claims record in trust appointment

April 26, 2022
Elections 2022

Shire accused of being off track with pledges

May 17, 2022

Security takes precedence

May 17, 2022

Liberals slide as independents climb

May 17, 2022
Interview

Volunteers track koalas for science

May 2, 2022
Property of the Week

278 Dundas Street, Rye

May 11, 2022
100 Years Ago This Week

An update on activities in Balnarring

May 17, 2022
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2022 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.