❓ Question regarding DPIRD's implementation of Auditor General's recommendations on commercial fishing regulation, specifically concerning integrity framework and compliance targets. The Minister's answer indicates progress on integrity framework and setting risk-based targets, but declines to publicly disclose specific compliance activities.
AnsweredQoN 1814Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Office of the Auditor General's "Regulation of Commercial Fishing" report dated 7 December 2022 which found key weaknesses in the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) monitoring and enforcement of regulatory compliance of the commercial fishing industry, I ask: (a) The Auditor General recommended (recommendation (3)) DPIRD strengthen
its integrity framework by (i) developing and formalising strategies to
mitigate the risk of industry capture, (ii) ensuring the framework
reflects integrity risks specific to fishery officers and the industry,
and (iii) ensuring complaints about conduct are investigated
independently. The implantation time frame for each of these three
actions is December 2023. For each of these actions, will the Minister table: (i) details of any relevant improvements DPIRD has made to its integrity framework; (ii) whether the action will be fully completed within the December 2023 implementation timeframe; and (iii) if no to (ii), the reason for the delay and when the action is currently anticipated to be completed; and (b) The Auditor General also recommended (recommendation (1(b))) DPIRD set clear targets for its compliance
activities and track performance against those targets to assess whether
compliance activities are undertaken and effective. Will the Minister table: (i) the targets DPIRD has implemented for its compliance activities, if any; (ii) if no targets have been implemented to date, why not and when is this anticipated to occur; and (iii) whether DPIRD intends to implement any targets in addition to those identified at (i) and (ii)?
its integrity framework by (i) developing and formalising strategies to
mitigate the risk of industry capture, (ii) ensuring the framework
reflects integrity risks specific to fishery officers and the industry,
and (iii) ensuring complaints about conduct are investigated
independently. The implantation time frame for each of these three
actions is December 2023. For each of these actions, will the Minister table: (i) details of any relevant improvements DPIRD has made to its integrity framework; (ii) whether the action will be fully completed within the December 2023 implementation timeframe; and (iii) if no to (ii), the reason for the delay and when the action is currently anticipated to be completed; and (b) The Auditor General also recommended (recommendation (1(b))) DPIRD set clear targets for its compliance
activities and track performance against those targets to assess whether
compliance activities are undertaken and effective. Will the Minister table: (i) the targets DPIRD has implemented for its compliance activities, if any; (ii) if no targets have been implemented to date, why not and when is this anticipated to occur; and (iii) whether DPIRD intends to implement any targets in addition to those identified at (i) and (ii)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 February 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Fisheries
Response time
2 days
a)
DPIRD has undertaken a comprehensive integrity review including release of an integrity framework in September 2023. The framework applies to all staff including fisheries officers and includes reference to impartiality including declaration and management of conflicts of interest. The complaints process has also been enhanced to require all complaints involving Fisheries and Marine officers to have independent oversight. In addition, the risk of industry capture is explicitly recognised in the department’s statement of Regulatory Compliance Approach, consistent with the Auditor General’s recommendations.
(b)
The focus of the Auditor General’s review was commercial fisheries. Targets based on risk have been set for all of the State’s commercial fisheries for the 2023-24 reporting period. It is not appropriate to provide those publicly as they include specific compliance activities.
DPIRD has undertaken a comprehensive integrity review including release of an integrity framework in September 2023. The framework applies to all staff including fisheries officers and includes reference to impartiality including declaration and management of conflicts of interest. The complaints process has also been enhanced to require all complaints involving Fisheries and Marine officers to have independent oversight. In addition, the risk of industry capture is explicitly recognised in the department’s statement of Regulatory Compliance Approach, consistent with the Auditor General’s recommendations.
(b)
The focus of the Auditor General’s review was commercial fisheries. Targets based on risk have been set for all of the State’s commercial fisheries for the 2023-24 reporting period. It is not appropriate to provide those publicly as they include specific compliance activities.
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