Page 1852 - Week 06 - Thursday, 19 May 1994

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Mr Wood - the answer to the Members question is as follows:

(1) No. Stage 2 infrastructure works of the York Park Project was totally funded by

the Commonwealth Government and included closure of the State Circle to

Canberra Avenue slip road which was a major entry/exit to the Church of St

Andrew. To overcome the problems this created and by way of compensation an

improved entry/exit was provided off State Circle, the internal traffic circulation

was reorganised requiring reconstructing of carparks and associated landscaping.

The Department of the Environment, Land and Planning on request of the National Capital Planning Authority handled the statutory processes associated with the slip road closure.

(2) No. The officer concerned had no involvement in requesting the works nor was

he involved in the approval of funds relating to the works. Moreover, no officers

responsible to the officer had any involvement with these works.

(3) Yes.

(a) In accordance with usual procedures, the then Secretary of the Department

of the Environment, Land and Planning was advised that the officer was a

member of the Church.

(b) The disclosure by the officer of his involvement with the Church was consistent with his obligations under the Guidelines on Official Conduct. If a private interest is disclosed there can be no conflict of interest because the officers supervisors are in a position to monitor the transaction.

provide a Statement of Registration of Personal Financial and Business

Interests and are bound to adhere to the principles set out in the Code of

Conduct Proposed by the Bowen Report on Public Duty and Private

Interest.

The Statement of Registration of Interests requires Senior Executive Service Officers to specify any personal interest whether that interest is pecuniary or otherwise, conflicts, or may reasonably be thought to conflict, with their public duty. This requirement was complied with in this case. In addition Land Division of my Department has developed a Code of Ethics requiring officers to disclose an interest which directly or indirectly conflicts or might reasonably be thought to conflict with their public duty, or improperly influence their conduct in the discharge of their responsibilities in respect to some matter with which they are concerned.

Land Division officers are also required to be aware of, and apply in a responsive manner without bias or prejudice, all the legislation, policies and procedures applying to the creation and management of the leasehold estate.

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