Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00854:body:0:p30
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00854
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 86449–89779

the existing grantee's willingness to continue to deliver grant activities;
         * input costs may have changed; or
         * new potential grantees could potentially offer better solutions to achieve the policy outcome.
    14.16.   Where there is a pattern of variations, officials should consider, as appropriate options including, using longer term grant agreements or undertaking a new process.

  15.        Probity and Transparency
    15.1.   Probity relates to ethical behaviour. Establishing and maintaining probity involves applying and complying with public sector values and duties such as honesty, integrity, impartiality and accountability.[84]
    15.2.   Transparency refers to the preparedness of those involved in grants administration, including officials and grantees, to being open to scrutiny about grants administration and grant opportunity processes. This involves providing reasons for decisions and information to government, the Parliament, potential grantees, grantees, beneficiaries and the community. Transparency provides assurance that grants administration is appropriate and that legislative obligations and policy commitments are being met.
    15.3.   Probity and transparency in grants administration is achieved by ensuring:
          * that decisions relating to grant opportunities are impartial; appropriately documented and reported; publicly defensible; and lawful. The key relevant requirements are set out in Part 1 of the CGRPs (section 3, Resource Management Framework and section 4, Grants-specific Processes and Requirements);
          * compliance with the public reporting requirements set out in Part 1 of the CGRPs (section 5, Public Reporting); and
          * that grants administration by officials and grantees incorporates appropriate safeguards against fraud, unlawful activities and other inappropriate conduct.
Fraud
    15.4.   Accountable authorities must ensure that entity fraud and corruption procedures and practices comply with section 10 of the PGPA Rule including as it relates to grants administration[85].
    15.5.   Accountable authorities should:
          * establish appropriate internal control mechanisms for grants administration. For example, the separation of duties can be a key internal control. Generally, no single officer should appraise an application for a grant, give financial approval for the expenditure and also make the offer to the potential grantee; and
          * guard against fraudulent and corrupt use of relevant money. For example, reported information should be assessed not only against objectives but appropriate benchmarks to indicate appropriate use of relevant money. Officials should be aware of the procedures to follow when fraud, corruption or misappropriation is suspected.
Conflicts of Interest
    15.6.   Actual or perceived conflicts of interest can be damaging to government, granting entities and officials, potential grantees and grantees. A conflict of interest arises where a person makes a decision or exercises a power in a way that may be, or may be perceived to be, influenced by either material personal interests (financial or non-financial) or material personal associations. A conflict of interest may arise:
          * where decision-makers or officials involved in grants administration