Ministers will recall that the Government's general NSW Public Sector Code of Conduct was issued in June 1991. To ensure the integrity of public sector agencies, agencies were required to develop, and publish in their annual report, their own code of conduct, incorporating the principles of the general Code.

Special purpose government bodies, such as Royal Commissions or special event secretariats, are established on a different basis to public agencies. In addition, they often deal with sensitive commercial or criminal information and, as such, the probity of their employees, and the consequent integrity of the special purpose body, is of paramount importance.

In considering the unique role of such bodies, the Independent Commission Against Corruption consulted with the Premier's Department and requested that a separate code of conduct (and associated guideline documents) be developed for special purpose government bodies. Consequently, to assist in achieving the integrity of special purpose government bodies, the Premier's Department, in consultation with ICAC, has prepared three documents:

1. A Code of Conduct for Special Purpose Bodies based on the NSW Public Sector Code of Conduct with appropriate amendments and additional topics;
2. Managers' Guidelines for Special Purpose Bodies on selection, induction, conflict resolution, management of confidential records, security, etc; and
3. A set of model forms: Statements of Personal and Professional Particulars and Financial Interests.

These documents now form part of NSW Government policy and Ministers and Chief Executive Officers should consult the guidelines when establishing a special purpose government body. Moreover, principal officers of special purpose bodies are required to ensure that the guidelines are rigorously adhered to within the body.

Additional copies are available as part of a Special Purpose Body Integrity Information Package consisting of these documents and support documents. For copies and further assistance please contact Theo Vermeulen of Personnel Policy Division of Premier's Department on 228-5516.

John Fahey
Premier