(1) It is a function
of the Public Sector Commissioner (the minor misconduct function ) to ensure
that an allegation about, or information or matter involving, minor misconduct
is dealt with in an appropriate way.
(2) Without limiting
the ways the Public Sector Commissioner may perform the minor misconduct
function or any other function under this Act or any other Act, the Public
Sector Commissioner performs the minor misconduct function by doing the
following —
(a)
receiving and initiating allegations of minor misconduct;
(b)
considering whether action is needed in relation to allegations and matters
related to minor misconduct;
(c)
inquiring into or taking other action in relation to allegations and matters
related to minor misconduct if it is appropriate to do so, or referring the
allegations or matters to other independent agencies or appropriate
authorities so that they can take action themselves or in cooperation with the
Public Sector Commissioner;
(d)
monitoring the way in which other independent agencies and appropriate
authorities take action in relation to allegations and matters that are
referred to them by the Public Sector Commissioner;
(e)
whether or not there has been an allegation of minor misconduct, inquiring
into whether minor misconduct —
(i)
has or may have occurred; or
(ii)
is or may be occurring; or
(iii)
is or may be about to occur; or
(iv)
is likely to occur;
(f)
making recommendations and furnishing reports on the outcome of inquiries;
(g)
consulting, cooperating, and exchanging information, with the following
—
(i)
the Commission;
(ii)
other independent agencies;
(iii)
appropriate authorities;
(iv)
the principal officers of notifying authorities;
(v)
any person or body whose functions under a law of the
Commonwealth, another State or a Territory correspond with those of the Public
Sector Commissioner under this Part or under the Public Sector Management Act
1994 ;
(vi)
any person, or any authority or body of this State, the
Commonwealth, another State or a Territory, declared by the Minister to be a
person, authority or body to which this paragraph applies;
(h)
giving information to another independent agency or other authority that may
provide evidence of the commission of a criminal offence under a written law
or may otherwise be relevant to the functions of the agency or other
authority.
(3) When the Public
Sector Commissioner is deciding whether further action for the purposes of
this Act in relation to an allegation is warranted, the matters to which the
Public Sector Commissioner may have regard include the following —
(a) the
seriousness of the conduct or involvement to which the allegation relates;
(b)
whether or not the allegation is frivolous or vexatious or is made in good
faith;
(c)
whether or not the conduct or involvement to which the allegation relates is
or has been the subject of appropriate investigatory or other action otherwise
than for the purposes of this Act;
(d)
whether or not, in all the circumstances, the carrying out of further action
for the purposes of this Act in relation to the allegation is justified or is
in the public interest.
[Section 45B inserted: No. 35 of 2014 s. 21.]
[Heading inserted: No. 35 of 2014 s. 21.]
[Heading inserted: No. 35 of 2014 s. 21.]