Office of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption
The Office of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (OICAC) has completed an investigation into a Northern Territory Government procurement and has made no findings of improper conduct.
The OICAC commenced an investigation into the conduct of public officers in a Northern Territory Government department following allegations that those officers may have engaged in unsatisfactory conduct while undertaking a select tender procurement.
The investigation found that there was insufficient evidence of unsatisfactory conduct, but that the public officers had failed to adhere to best practice and that Northern Territory Government procurement guidelines were either not fit for purpose and/or poorly understood by public officers.
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Kenneth Fleming QC said, "Procurement is an area of significant risk for the Northern Territory Government. Approximately 20 percent of reports to my office concern procurement.
"Given that the Northern Territory Government procures $1 billion of goods and services annually, there is a serious risk of improper conduct if fraud and corruption controls; and procurement legislation, policies and rules are not fit for purpose, out of date, or not complied with."
The OICAC has made a number of corruption prevention recommendations around procurement reform.
The matter is now closed and the OICAC will not take any further action.
