ICAC evaluation told Safework SA inspectors given recommendations to cut corruption and bribery risks
SAFEWORK SA inspectors should wear body cameras, be tracked by GPS, work in pairs and declare all gifts and benefits on a registry to lower the risk of corruption and bribery, an ICAC evaluation has heard.
ICAC SAFEWORK SA INQUIRY TO DATE:
- AUGUST: Investigators beset by poor training
- JULY: Funding cuts threaten safety and investigations
- JULY: Inspectors offered bribes, intimidated
- JUNE: Inspectors at significant risk of corruption
SAFEWORK SA investigators should be made to wear body cameras at work sites, operate in groups of two and declare gifts or benefits in a register to alleviate the risk of corruption and bribery, the Independent Commissioner into Corruption has heard.
Counsel assisting the Commissioner, Holly Stanley, labelled Safework SA as “crying out for stability” and “immature” in the face of possible corruption.
In the final public hearing of Commissioner Bruce Lander QC’s inquiry into the practices of the embattled workplace safety regulator, Ms Stanley made 25 recommendations to reduce the risk of investigators being corrupted on the job.
“I’ve previously described the powers afforded to inspectors as being near unfettered and I stand by that description,” Ms Stanley said.
“The lack of understanding of how to lawfully exercise these powers risks much, including failed prosecutions.
“My assessment is Safework SA is immature in recognising the risks of corruption, misconduct and maladministration inherent in its work.
“It is difficult for inspectors to strike the right balance between maintaining a relationship with industry while avoiding being captured by the organisation, groomed or subject to other … influence.”
Ms Stanley recommended the introduction of a gifts and benefits register as well as ensuring Safework SA inspectors work in pairs to protect the inspector from “inaccurate accusations” and improve their safety on the job.
Ms Stanley also recommended the introduction of body-worn cameras and GPS in government vehicles to allow audits on the movement of inspectors. Despite five reviews and audits since 2013, Ms Stanley said many of the issues which had affected Safework SA’s investigative unit continued to be problems.
“Many of the same issues observed during those reviews have come up again in your evaluation,’’ she said.
Mr Lander launched the evaluation following complaints about the agency over five years.
Since the start of the inquiry in June, Mr Lander has heard that inspectors have been offered bribes, morale within Safework SA is at an all-time low and poor training was hampering investigations.