The way public officials respond to offers of gifts, benefits and hospitality is critical to maintaining the trust of those we serve. Officials need to act in a manner that allows the community, customers, Government, clients and business associates to feel confident that they perform public duties without favouritism or bias, or for personal gain.
To that end, and in line with the minimum accountabilities applying to all public sector organisations, I am publishing the Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Register for the Victorian Public Sector Commission for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Adam Fennessy
Commissioner
Victorian Public Sector Commission
Register for 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021
Donor
Manager Business Partner Program Delivery, ANZSOG
Offer
Hardcopy leadership and public policy related textbooks
Value
$560
Decision
Accepted
Comment
The donated textbooks were retained by the VPSC to inform relevant research, develop leadership activities across the VPS, and tools provided by the VPSC to support the VPS workforce.
Donor
Jeff Whalan Learning Group
Offer
Book and bottle of wine
Value
$60 (in total)
Decision
Accepted
Comment
The event was virtual – the items arrived in the mail a few weeks after the event. Event organisers were thanked and advised that no gifts would be accepted for future events. The book has been retained by the VPSC as part of our leadership research collection.
Past registers
Register for 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020
Donor
Professional services firm
Offer
Attendance at Forensic Whistleblower Discussion Group quarterly forum
Value
$50
Decision
Declined
Donor
Professor Ken Smith, Dean and CEO of Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)
Offer
Dinner with Professor Beth Simone Noveck, innovation and open government expert
Value
$75
Decision
Accepted
Donor
Sue Woodward, Director Professional Learning and Development, Institute of Public Administration Australia
Offer
Attendance at Integrity and Ethical Leadership Program alumni dinner
Value
$75
Decision
Accepted
Register for 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019
Donor
Melina Papas Health Organisation
Offer
Flight Centre Voucher
Value
$500
Decision
Declined
Donor
Governance Officer, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Offer
Bindi Bindi small pottery bowl created by Indigenous artist
Value
$40
Decision
Accepted
Donor
Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Public Administration Australia
Offer
Working dinner and roundtable discussion on promoting integrity in the Public Sector
Value
$90
Decision
Accepted
Donor
Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Public Administration Australia
Offer
Working dinner and roundtable discussion on promoting integrity in the Public Sector
Value
$80
Decision
Accepted
Donor
Local government
Offer
Invitation to the Rose Room Marquee, Flemington Racecourse on Oaks Day 2018
Value
$950
Decision
Declined
Donor
Leadership organisation
Offer
Dinner
Value
$165
Decision
Declined
Donor
Executive director, Leadership Victoria
Offer
Dinner for the 2018 graduation
Value
$180
Decision
Accepted
Donor
Manager, Strategic Government and Employer Relations, VicSuper
Offer
Lunch with CEO, Executive Director and Manager, Strategic Government and Employer Relations
Value
$55
Decision
Accepted
Donor
Hong Kong Government Office and Business/Investment Associations
Offer
Reception to celebrate Chinese New Year 2019
Value
$74
Decision
Declined
Donor
Leadership organisation
Offer
Gala Dinner for IPAA Victoria International Women’s Day
Value
$220
Decision
Declined
Donor
The Chair, Women’s Network Advisory Committee
Offer
Gala Dinner for IPAA Victoria International Women’s Day
