Commonwealth of Australia – Public Service Act 1999
Procedures for Determining Suspected Breaches of the Code of Conduct

WHEREAS under subsection 15(3) of the Public Service Act 1999, an Agency Head must establish Procedures for determining:

• whether an APS employee, or a former APS employee in the Agency has breached the Code of Conduct; and
• the sanction (if any) that should be imposed on an APS employee who is found to have breached the Code of Conduct.

I, Martin Lee Parkinson, Secretary of the Treasury, REVOKE all previous Procedures made under that subsection and ESTABLISH these Procedures.
These Procedures will be effective from 1 July 2013 onwards.
SIGNED
Martin Lee Parkinson
Secretary of the Treasury
1 July 2013

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Application of Procedures

These Procedures must be compiled with in determining whether an APS employee or a former APS employee has breached the Code of Conduct. Unless contrary intention appears, a reference to an APS employee in an Agency includes a reference to a former APS employee who is suspected of having breached the Code of Conduct while an employee in the Agency.
The requirements set out in these Procedures apply only in relation to suspected breaches of the Code of Conduct by an APS employee in respect of which a determination may be made. Not all suspected breaches of the Code of Conduct need to be dealt with by way of a determination. In particular circumstances, another way of dealing with a suspected breach of the Code of Conduct may be more appropriate.

Selection of decision-maker

The person who determines whether an APS employee has breached the Code of Conduct is to be selected by the Secretary or a person holding or performing the duties of one of the Executive Directors in the Department of the Treasury.

Formal hearing not required

For the purpose of determining whether an APS employee in an Agency has breached the Code of Conduct, a formal hearing is not required.
The process for determining whether an APS employee has breached the Code of Conduct must be carried out with as little formality and as much expedition as a proper consideration of the matter allows.

Information to be given to employee before determination is made

Before a determination is made in relation to a suspected breach of the Code of Conduct by an APS employee, the employee must

• be informed of:
  • the details of the suspected breach of the Code of Conduct (including any subsequent variation of those details); and
  • the sanctions that may be imposed on the employee under subsection 15(1) of the Public Service Act 1999 (including any limitations on that power contained in regulations made for the purpose of subsection 15(2) of the Public Service Act 1999) (note this does not apply to former APS employees); and
• be given reasonable opportunity to make a statement, in writing, in relation to the suspected breach within 7 calendar days or any longer period allowed.

If the employee makes a written statement within 7 calendar days (or, if allowed, any longer period) of being given the opportunity to do so, the employee must also be given the opportunity to make an oral statement in relation to the suspected breach.
An employee who does not make a written statement in relation to the suspected breach is not, only for that reason, to be taken to have admitted committing the suspected breach.

Person making determination to be independent and unbiased

The person who determines whether an APS employee has breached the Code of Conduct must be, and appear to be, independent and unbiased.
In particular, a person must not determine whether the employee has breached the Code of Conduct if the person has previously made a report in relation to any of the matters suspected of constituting a breach by the employee of the Code of Conduct.

Providing false or misleading information in connection with engagement as an APS employee

A person who is, or was, an APS employee is taken to have breached the Code of Conduct if the person is found to have, before being engaged as an APS employee:

• knowingly provided false or misleading information to another APS employee, or to a person acting on behalf of the Commonwealth; or
• wilfully failed to disclose to another APS employee, or to a person acting on behalf of the Commonwealth, information that the person knew, or ought reasonably to have known was relevant; or
• otherwise failed to behave honestly and with integrity; in connection with the person's engagement as an APS employee.

Action that may be taken if breach found to have occurred

If a determination is made that an APS employee has breached the Code of Conduct, the employee may be counselled or a sanction may be imposed on the employee under section 15 of the Public Service Act 1999. A determination may not be made in relation to a suspected breach of the Code by an APS employee unless reasonable steps have been taken to inform the individual of the details of the suspected breach and the sanctions that may be imposed.

Imposing Sanction on an APS employee

If a sanction is to be imposed on an employee, the employee must:

• be given a written statement setting out:
  • the determination; and
  • the sanction or sanctions that are under consideration; and
  • the factors that are under consideration in determining any sanction to be imposed; and
• be given reasonable opportunity to make a statement in relation to sanctions under consideration.

The person who determines any sanction to be imposed must be, and appear to be, independent and unbiased.

Sanctions that may be imposed

The Secretary may impose the following sanctions to an APS employee who is found to have breached the Code of Conduct:

• termination of employment;
• reduction in classification
• re-assignment of duties;
• reduction in salary;
• deductions from salary, by way of fine;
• a reprimand.

Sanctions may not be imposed on former APS employees.

Record of determination

After a determination in relation to a suspected breach of the Code of Conduct by an APS employee is made, a written record stating whether the employee has been found to have breached the Code of Conduct must be prepared. The report must set out:

• the suspected breach; and
• the determination; and
• any sanctions imposed as a result of a determination that the employee breached the Code of Conduct; and
• if a statement of reasons was given to the employee – the statement of reasons.

Note: The Archives Act 1983 and the Privacy Act 1988 apply to a record made under this clause

Moving within the APS during a suspected breach of the Code of Conduct

Unless agreed by the Agency Heads, movements between agencies (including on promotion) for employees suspected of a breach of the Code of Conduct, will not take effect until the matter is resolved by:

• a determination being made; or
• it is decided that a determination is not necessary.

If agreed by the Agency Heads and the employee moves within the APS during an investigation into a suspected breach of the Code of Conduct, but before a sanction is applied by the losing agency, the gaining agency may decide to continue the investigation. If the employee is found to have breached the Code of Conduct, the Agency Head may apply a sanction based on the losing agency's investigation.
Note: An agency head's power under section 15 of the PS Act to apply a sanction extends not only to imposing sanctions on employees in their agency, in respect of findings of breach made under that agency's Code of Conduct procedures, but also in respect of findings made under another agency's Code of Conduct procedures.

Handling of personal and sensitive information

Personal information is defined in section 6 of the Privacy Act 1988 as "information or an opinion...about an individual... whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained from the information or opinion". The Agency will ensure that, where appropriate, necessary and reasonable, personal information about an employee under investigation will remain confidential.
Sensitive information is defined in section 6 of the Privacy Act 1988 as "information or an opinion about an individual's race or ethnic origin or political opinions or membership of a political association or religious beliefs or affiliations or philosophical beliefs or membership of a professional or trade association or membership of a trade union or sexual preferences or practices or criminal record that is also personal information or health information about an individual or genetic information about an individual that is not otherwise health information". Special care should be taken in the handling of sensitive information. Sensitive information should generally not be disclosed to a third party without the express consent of the individual concerned.
During the course of a Code of Conduct investigation, or after the investigation is complete, personal information about an employee under investigation may, where necessary, appropriate and reasonable, be disclosed to others, including:

• the complainant
• other Commonwealth bodies who have been involved in the matter, such as the Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner or the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
• an APS agency where the employee moves or seeks to move in the future.

During the course of a Code of Conduct investigation, or after the investigation is complete, in accordance with the principles of procedural fairness, the employee may be provided with personal information about an individual who is a party to the investigation. This may include the complainant and any witnesses to the investigation. Disclosure of information about the complainant and any witnesses to the respondent employee or others should be done in accordance with the agency's obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.
Where the Treasury is considering disclosing personal information about an employee to another person, body or agency, the employee will be advised in writing and given the opportunity to make a case prior to the information being disclosed, as to why their personal information should not be disclosed. The employee will have 2 business days to provide a case, in writing, to the investigation officer.
Prior to disclosing information about the outcome of Code of Conduct investigation, the agency will have due regard to the Privacy Act 1988, including determining whether personal information will be used or disclosed and in what circumstances. General information containing no personal information may be disclosed to others where the agency considers it necessary, appropriate and reasonable to do so.

Enquiry into alleged breach of Code of Conduct by APS employee by the Australian Public Service Commissioner

The Australian Public Service Commissioner may enquire into and determine whether an APS employee has breached the Code of Conduct if:

• the Secretary requests the Australian Public Service Commissioner to do so;
• the Australian Public Service Commissioner considers it would be appropriate to do so.

Enquiry into alleged breach of Code of Conduct by APS employee by the Merit Protection Commissioner

The Merit Protection Commissioner, may enquire into and determine whether an APS employee has breached the Code of Conduct if:

• the Agency Head requests the Merit Protection Commissioner to do so;
• the Merit Protection Commissioner considers it would be appropriate to do so; and
• the APS employee agrees, in writing, to the Merit Protection Commissioner in doing so.

Note: a finding by the Merit Protection Commissioner under this section is reviewable under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977.