11 September2008

2. Working Group Membership Stephen Horne (Chair) Neil Adams (NSW) Steve Linden (WA) Part of the series of Handbooks supporting the AS8000 suite of Governance Standards also see HB 405 Disclosure and Transparency Frameworks Linked with the Corruption Prevention Network Big Issue Grappler (decision-support tool) Developed by Robertson for www.corruptionprevention.net How did we get here?

3. The call for probity assurance by stakeholders is growing The use of probity specialists is growing Probity assurance is an emerging sub-profession, but with variable practice Probity specialists can be faced with difficult situations and not be able to rely on clear guidance about what is required of the role NSW Audit Office report on Lease of the Moore Park Showground to Fox Studios, Chapter 8, Probity Audit Issues Why did we do this?

4. Most government jurisdictions have now put out guidance material (references included), but purpose-built formal Standards are lacking Generic Auditing Standards are not fully relevant audit �opinion� or �agreed-upon procedure�? An emerging sub-profession, not the sole domain of accounting/audit We think that probity needs to shift from being an add-on to, become a characteristic of decision making Why did we do this?

5. Although we all know that unsound decisions can be a massive problem �.. people feel pressured and rushed thinking everything through may be seen as a luxury many people have a tendency to leap to a conclusion or preferred option very early, and then rationalise everything to fit rather than decide based on sound analysis And we also know that poor process can cause as much aggravation as a unsound decisions, but � knowledge of �proper process� is often poor proper process may be seen as expendable and, in the heat of the moment, not really important anyway Poorly made decisions

6. Proposition: Any undertaking or decision involving significant risk potentially warrants some level of probity assurance Why?: Significant decisions involve significant commitments Stakeholders must be confident that commitments are made carefully and on their merits alone Lack of confidence in major decisions undermines performance Poor decision-making is not uncommon Probity is not an �optional extra�

7. Probity means that decisions are made with integrity, honesty and fairness while observing due-process � in the pursuit of value for money Addressing probity issues should be a normal part of any significant project or decision process It does not cause delay or add costs. It generates value from proper reflection & efficient handling probity should be viewed as a key element of governance, setting the tone for how things are done Probity sets your corporate tone

8. When operative effectively, probity in decision making will facilitate several observable, and highly desirable, conditions: Value for money Impartiality Removal of improper influence arising from conflicts of interest Accountability and transparency Confidentiality. Probity is not a vague concept

9. Poor decisions nearly always lack rigor Expediency is a false economy in major decisions Establish a governance environment in which it is expected that major and complex decisions use a structured and properly considered process Reinforce it regularly Train people in how to do this Provide decision-support tools Chapter 2� sound decision making processes

10. Improving Probity in Everyday Decision Making

11. Decision support tool Easily accessible Confidential Flexible Free What is BIG?

12. What BIG does

13. What BIG does not do

14. 7 Steps

15. Some decisions are part of a long and complex chain, or are very complex in other ways The use of probity specialists can add value by: assisting decision-makers to: Set up a good process Be aware of probity pitfalls Properly address probity issues as they arise Providing assurance to stakeholders that the decision making process is fair and reliable Chapter 3 � expert assistance

16. Aspects covered: the probity specialist (what are they? Types?) independence of the probity specialist skills of the probity specialist confidentiality conflicts of interest terms of reference plans targeting areas of probity risk review of documentation role at briefings, at site visits, at evaluation committee meetings, during contract negotiations, at tenderer debriefings working papers probity report Guidance on Using Probity Specialists

17. Probity in the detail

18. AvailableNow