Maritime Responds to ICAC

NSW Maritime has received the ICAC report finding two current and one past employee of NSW Maritime's Legal Branch engaged in corrupt conduct.

NSW Maritime executive and staff are committed to corruption prevention. The Authority worked closely and co-operatively with the ICAC through the investigation, and will implement all the ICAC recommendations.

An independent investigator has already been appointed to conduct disciplinary investigations into the actions of Tonette Kelly and Bonita Dacombe. The investigator has been asked to provide an urgent report on progress with the investigation.

The first six corruption prevention recommendations are already being implemented, and the final and seventh recommendation relating to performance management has been accepted and will now be implemented.

Over the past year, NSW Maritime has been active in reviewing and improving corruption-prevention procedures. The authority has tightened numerous policies, procedures, and undertaken audits and reviews to prevent corruption. NSW Maritime now has stringent processes in place for employees who wish to engage in secondary employment. It also has tighter policies and processes for procurement, use of public resources, including materials, equipment, facilities and staff, and particularly working from home.

A corruption prevention training program is being developed for staff to assist them to understand, identify and report on corruption, and to manage protected disclosures.  Workshops for senior managers and the executive are to be run by the ICAC. NSW Maritime has appointed a Corruption Prevention Manager to assist with this program.

The ICAC recommendations will add to the actions already taken to ensure the authority maintains the highest standards of public service.