What is: Corrupt Conduct

What is corrupt conduct?

Under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 (Qld) (the CC Act) there are two types of corrupt conduct:

• Type A—conduct that affects or could affect how employees perform their duties or exercise their powers. To be corrupt, conduct needs to either:
• be dishonest or not impartial
• involve a breach of trust placed in the employee, or
• involve a misuse of information obtained during the course of their duties.
• Type B—conduct that impairs, or could impair, public confidence in Metro North Health. This type of conduct includes (but is not limited to):
• collusive tendering
• dishonestly obtaining or helping someone obtain, a benefit from the payment of public funds
• fraudulently obtaining or retaining an appointment.

The CC Act defines conduct as:

• conspiracy to engage in conduct
• attempt to engage in conduct
• neglect, failure or inaction.

Examples of corrupt conduct include:

• misappropriating drugs
• fraudulent completion of timesheets
• excessive force used on a patient
• access to patient records when not required to perform a role
• falsifying qualifications to gain employment at Metro North Health
• providing confidential information to a vendor who is bidding on contracts in order to ‘win’ the contract.

What’s my role?

Allegations of corrupt conduct in Metro North Health are assessed by the Metro North Health Ethical Standards Unit. Where required the allegations will also be investigated by the Ethical Standards Unit. In certain instances, the allegations will be referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC). The CCC is an independent statutory body established under the CC Act to combat and reduce the incidence of major crime and corruption in the public sector in Queensland.

An employee who suspects another employee of engaging in corrupt conduct has a duty to immediately report the incident to their manager. The manager must notify the Metro North Ethical Standards Unit or their relevant People and Culture Business Partner as soon as possible.

For more information about reporting corrupt conduct, refer to the MNHHS Requirements for reporting corrupt conduct procedure. This resource explains what constitutes corrupt conduct, how allegations are dealt with and the protection given to those who report.

You must make sure that all employees, volunteers, consultants and contractors under your supervision know their obligation to report suspected corrupt conduct. All new staff are required to complete online training via the Talent Management System about the Code of Conduct, Fraud Awareness and Public Interest Disclosures within 30 days of commencing and then every 2 years after that.

Useful links

• MNHHS Procedure – Requirements for Reporting Corrupt Conduct 004227
• MNHHS Policy – Public Interest Disclosure 005329
• MNHHS Procedure – Public Interest Disclosure 002088
• Crime and Corruption Act 2001 (Qld)
• Queensland Ombudsman Public Interest Disclosure Standards