❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice reveals varying practices across government agencies regarding the registration of offered but unaccepted gifts and benefits to employees, highlighting differences in policy and thresholds.
AnsweredQoN 1497Legislative Assembly
Asked
31 October 2013
Member
Portfolio
Energy; Finance; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to all agencies, departments and trading enterprises within the Minister’s portfolio of responsibilities, could the Minister advise: (a) do any of these agencies, departments or trading enterprises maintain a register of gifts or benefits offered to employees but not accepted; (b) if yes to (a), which specific agencies, departments or trading enterprises maintain such a registry; (c) if yes to (a), how long has the register been maintained; (d) if yes to (a), what is the dollar amount at which employees must register an offered gift or benefit; and (e) if yes to (a), through what means or mechanism do employees register a gift or benefit offered to them but not accepted?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
3 December 2013
Responded by
Minister for Energy; Finance; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Response time
33 days
Answer
Department of Finance
(a) Yes.
(b) Department of Finance.
(c) Since 1 July 2011, on establishment of the Department of Finance.
(d) There is no set dollar amount. The departmental policy is that gifts of a nominal value can be accepted where there is no conflict of interest, perceived or otherwise.
(e) A standard form is available on the Department's intranet.
Horizon Power
(a) No.
(b)-(e) N/A.
Independent Market Operator
(a) No.
(b)-(e) N/A.
Office of Multicultural Interests
(a) Yes.
(b) The Department of Local Government and Communities of which the Office of Multicultural Interests is a Division.
(c) Since I July 2013, on establishment of the Department of Local Government and Communities.
(d) All gifts or benefits offered are to be registered regardless of the dollar amount.
(e) Receipt of gift notification form or email to the responsible officer.
Synergy
(a) Yes.
(b) Synergy.
(c) Since July 2011.
(d) >$100.
(e) Information is maintained in same register as gifts which have been accepted.
Verve Energy
(a) No.
(b)-(e) N/A.
Western Power
(a) Yes.
(b) Western Power.
(c) Western Power has maintained a register of gifts and hospitality accepted since April 2006. The register was enhanced in June 2013 to also include details of gifts and hospitality offered but declined.
(d) Gifts and hospitality valued over $100 and $200 respectively are required to be registered.
(e) A centralised gift register is maintained. It is the responsibility of a recipient of a gift or hospitality and their formal leader to ensure the relevant information is provided to the custodian of the gift register. Western Power's Code of Conduct outlines staff responsibilities in relation to declaring gifts and hospitality and education is provided throughout the business on an ongoing basis.
Department of Finance
(a) Yes.
(b) Department of Finance.
(c) Since 1 July 2011, on establishment of the Department of Finance.
(d) There is no set dollar amount. The departmental policy is that gifts of a nominal value can be accepted where there is no conflict of interest, perceived or otherwise.
(e) A standard form is available on the Department's intranet.
Horizon Power
(a) No.
(b)-(e) N/A.
Independent Market Operator
(a) No.
(b)-(e) N/A.
Office of Multicultural Interests
(a) Yes.
(b) The Department of Local Government and Communities of which the Office of Multicultural Interests is a Division.
(c) Since I July 2013, on establishment of the Department of Local Government and Communities.
(d) All gifts or benefits offered are to be registered regardless of the dollar amount.
(e) Receipt of gift notification form or email to the responsible officer.
Synergy
(a) Yes.
(b) Synergy.
(c) Since July 2011.
(d) >$100.
(e) Information is maintained in same register as gifts which have been accepted.
Verve Energy
(a) No.
(b)-(e) N/A.
Western Power
(a) Yes.
(b) Western Power.
(c) Western Power has maintained a register of gifts and hospitality accepted since April 2006. The register was enhanced in June 2013 to also include details of gifts and hospitality offered but declined.
(d) Gifts and hospitality valued over $100 and $200 respectively are required to be registered.
(e) A centralised gift register is maintained. It is the responsibility of a recipient of a gift or hospitality and their formal leader to ensure the relevant information is provided to the custodian of the gift register. Western Power's Code of Conduct outlines staff responsibilities in relation to declaring gifts and hospitality and education is provided throughout the business on an ongoing basis.
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