Commission seeks views about corruption risks in public sector procurement
Published 27 March 2023
Each year the South Australian Government spends over $11 billion on goods, services and construction works. Procurement is particularly vulnerable to corruption because of the high volume and value of transactions, complexity of processes, and the interaction between public officers and suppliers.
The Commission has decided to examine corruption risks in public sector procurement.
Procurement processes can be corrupted by public officers who misuse their position to improperly benefit themselves or a particular supplier. Corrupt suppliers might attempt to groom, threaten or induce a public officer to manipulate a procurement process to their advantage.
Commissioner Vanstone said, ‘Where procurements are manipulated for financial or personal gain, public authorities are at risk of being overcharged or receiving substandard goods and services. Suppliers are likely to be deterred from tendering for opportunities where they think procurement processes or personnel lack integrity.’
The Commission is keen to hear the views and experiences of those involved in public sector procurement, including public officers, state government suppliers and other interested persons or businesses.
Those parties are invited to participate in the Commission’s online survey or to make a written submission at education@icac.sa.gov.au.
The Commission’s report will be tabled in Parliament later this year.
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For media enquiries please contact 0428 389 493 or media@icac.sa.gov.au.
The publication of this information has been authorised by the Commissioner under section 54 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2012.
