Statement of Business Ethics
Business Ethics
The Western Parkland City Authority (the Authority) is committed to ethical business practices and having transparent, fair and honest business relationships with its contractors and suppliers of goods and services.
This Statement provides guidance for the private sector when providing goods and services to the Authority. It outlines the Authority's ethical standards and our expectation that our service delivery partners, contractors and our goods and service providers will comply with these standards in all their dealings with us.
The Authority relies on the support of goods and services partners (including both government and non-government entities) and suppliers to assist in delivering public value as a service provider and agency of Government. The Authority's staff are expected to behave ethically and comply with any adopted codes of ethics and conduct. The Authority also expects high standards of behavior from firms and individuals that do business with the Authority.
What the Authority asks of service delivery partners and suppliers
All service delivery partners and suppliers are required to observe the following principles when doing business with the Authority:
- Comply with applicable NSW Government procurement frameworks, policies, and codes of practice and act ethically, fairly and honestly in all dealings.
- Not offer the Authority's employees, contractors and consultants any financial inducements or any gifts, benefits, or hospitality, except where, in discussion with the Authority, it is in accordance with an adopted gifts and benefits policy.
- Declare actual or perceived conflicts of interest as soon as such matters arise.
- Prevent the disclosure of confidential Authority information and protect the Authority's intellectual property.
- Assist the Authority to prevent fraud, corruption and unethical practices in business relationships by reporting wrongdoing (refer to practical guidelines below).
The Authority's key business principles
The Authority's key business principles include achieving value for money in the expenditure of public funds while being fair, ethical and transparent.
The Authority is committed to the NSW Procurement Board's NSW Procurement Policy Framework.
Why the Authority's service delivery partners and suppliers should comply
Service delivery partners and suppliers will be able to advance their business objectives and interests in a fair and ethical manner by complying with the basic principles of probity management as well as the NSW Procurement Board's Procurement Policy Framework, and this Business Ethics Statement. There is no disadvantage as all the Authority's service delivery partners and suppliers must comply with these requirements.
Non-compliance with stated ethical requirements when doing business with the Authority, as well as demonstrated corrupt or unethical conduct, could lead to:
- termination of contracts;
- loss of future work;
- loss of reputation;
- investigation for corruption; and / or
- matters being referred for criminal investigation.
What service delivery partners and suppliers can expect from the Authority's employees
The Authority's employees are bound by the core public sector values of integrity, trust, service and accountability and any code of conduct adopted by the Authority from time to time relating to conduct and ethics, and are expected:
- to ensure that decisions and actions are reasonable, fair and appropriate to the circumstances, based on consideration of all the relevant facts, and be supported by relevant legislation, policies and procedures;
- to accept responsibility and be accountable for their actions in accordance with delegated functions, accountabilities, and any policies relating to ethics and conduct adopted by the Authority from time to time;
- to promote the integrity and reputation of the public sector actively by always acting in the public interest and not engage in any activities that would bring the public sector into disrepute;
- to achieve the highest standards of ethics by treating Government stakeholders, clients, suppliers and each other fairly and professionally;
- to provide relevant and responsive service to clients and customers, with all necessary and appropriate assistance in accordance with agreed service standards;
- to act always with care and diligence, utilising the Authority's resources in a proper manner.