1 May 2023
Statement by the Hon. Ann Vanstone KC
Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption
In January I announced the Commission was commencing an evaluation of grants administration. I have since written to and received responses from a number of public authorities about the way they administer that function.
The volume of grants administered exceeded our expectations as did the various forms they take and the level of complexity involved.
The responses we received highlighted the variation, even within a single agency, in how grants programs are initiated, developed, implemented and managed. The arrangements span open competitive and merit based programs to strategically targeted invitation only programs and ad hoc grants.
In view of the volume and complexity of grants activity occurring within the public sector, the Commission will progress the evaluation in stages and produce a series of discrete reports.
The Commission will first turn its attention to the administration of commercial, investment, research and entrepreneurial grants schemes. These schemes, which are aimed at attracting investment and encouraging commercial opportunity in the state, are at risk of corruption because they involve significant financial incentives.
The Commission will specifically evaluate the practices, policies and procedures of the Chief Executives of the Department for Trade and Investment and the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science as they relate to the administration of grants.
I have written to the Chief Executives of both Departments. I plan to report on their programs in the coming months.
My intention is to conduct this evaluation by way of public inquiry, with information regularly uploaded on to the Commission website.
____________
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 (SA).
Related Downloads:
