Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 29 August 2011:

(1)   How many Code of Conduct investigations have there been within the Minister's portfolio for the financial years: (a) 2010-11; and (b) 2011-to date. (2)   How many investigations established: (a) a breach; or (b) no breach, of the Code of Conduct. (3) In each case, what provisions of the Code of Conduct were thought to have been breached. (4) What penalties were applied where the Code of Conduct was broken. (5) How many investigations are ongoing.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)   There have been:

  (a)   90 completed investigations made in respect of individuals who were suspected of breaching the Code of Conduct within the Minister's portfolio for the financial year 2010-11.

  (b)   18 completed investigations made in respect of individuals who were suspected of breaching the Code of Conduct within the Minister's portfolio to date in the financial year 2011-12.

(2)   Of the completed investigations:

  (a)   Of the 90 completed cases in the 2010-2011 financial year:

(i)   58 employees were found to have breached the Code of Conduct.

(ii)   In 32 instances, a breach of the Code of Conduct was not established.

  (b)   Of the 18 completed cases to date in the 2011-2012 financial year:

(iii)   9 employees were found to have breached the Code of Conduct.

(iv)   In 9 instances, a breach of the Code of Conduct was not established.

(3)   The table below overleaf information about those provisions of the Code of Conduct that were thought to have been breached in each investigation. Note that, in most instances of suspected misconduct, an individual will be suspected of breaching several provisions of the Code of Conduct.

(4)   Of the 67 employees who were found to have breached the Code of Conduct, the table below provides information on the penalties applied. Note that, in many instances of misconduct, more than one sanction may be applied.

(5)   As at 7 September 2011, there are 77 ongoing investigations.