❓ WA Parliament Question on Notice regarding scams targeting WA businesses and government agencies. The response indicates no agencies within the Premier's portfolio were victims, and outlines preventative measures in place.
AnsweredQoN 5855Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the online news article published by the ABC
online on 17 August 2016 in relation to scammers stealing $500,000 from West
Australian businesses over the past two years as reported by the Department of
Consumer Protection, and I ask: (a) have any WA Government agencies within the Minister’s
portfolio of responsibility fallen victim to these scams over the past two
years; (b) if
so which agencies have been impacted; (c) for each agency impacted, what was the nature of, and the
dollar amount lost in connection to each scam; (d) have
criminal charges been laid against any persons or entities in connection to
these scams; and (e) what
measures have you taken to ensure that public funds are not lost to scammers
via WA Government agencies?
online on 17 August 2016 in relation to scammers stealing $500,000 from West
Australian businesses over the past two years as reported by the Department of
Consumer Protection, and I ask: (a) have any WA Government agencies within the Minister’s
portfolio of responsibility fallen victim to these scams over the past two
years; (b) if
so which agencies have been impacted; (c) for each agency impacted, what was the nature of, and the
dollar amount lost in connection to each scam; (d) have
criminal charges been laid against any persons or entities in connection to
these scams; and (e) what
measures have you taken to ensure that public funds are not lost to scammers
via WA Government agencies?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 October 2016
Response time
35 days
The Public Sector Commission, Lotterywest, Salaries and Allowances Tribunal and Rottnest Island Authority advise:
(a) Nil
(b) – (e) Not applicable
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet advises:
(a) No
(b) - (d) Not Applicable
(e) The Department of Premier and Cabinet has a ICT cyber security services and employee awareness program. In addition, the Department’s financial approval process provides the checks and balances to ensure that only legitimate payments are processed.
ChemCentre advise:
(a) No
(b) - (d) Not Applicable
(e) ChemCentre requires two authorisations prior to a payment being made from ChemCentre’s bank account. In addition, ChemCentre has a sophisticated internal control system to ensure the duties are segregated and appropriate authorisation is in place. Also, the change of bank details can only be performed by a senior finance officer in the system. Any requested change of bank details from suppliers will be confirmed by two employees from ChemCentre to ensure the request is authentic.
Gold Corporation
(a) No
(b) - (d) Not applicable
(e) An effective internal control environment is operating at Gold Corporation which is subject to internal and external audit procedures.
Tourism
(a) No
(b) - (d) Not applicable
(e) Increased employee training, additional and enhanced email filters (software), and a review of payment processes.
(a) Nil
(b) – (e) Not applicable
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet advises:
(a) No
(b) - (d) Not Applicable
(e) The Department of Premier and Cabinet has a ICT cyber security services and employee awareness program. In addition, the Department’s financial approval process provides the checks and balances to ensure that only legitimate payments are processed.
ChemCentre advise:
(a) No
(b) - (d) Not Applicable
(e) ChemCentre requires two authorisations prior to a payment being made from ChemCentre’s bank account. In addition, ChemCentre has a sophisticated internal control system to ensure the duties are segregated and appropriate authorisation is in place. Also, the change of bank details can only be performed by a senior finance officer in the system. Any requested change of bank details from suppliers will be confirmed by two employees from ChemCentre to ensure the request is authentic.
Gold Corporation
(a) No
(b) - (d) Not applicable
(e) An effective internal control environment is operating at Gold Corporation which is subject to internal and external audit procedures.
Tourism
(a) No
(b) - (d) Not applicable
(e) Increased employee training, additional and enhanced email filters (software), and a review of payment processes.
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