Accountability The process where individuals can be held to account for their actions.

Actual conflict of interest (see Conflict of interest—the terms are interchangeable)

Apparent conflict of interest (see Conflict of interest, perceived/apparent)

Bias Favouritism, or preferential treatment.

Competing interests Where two or more interests conflict with each other.

Conflict of duties Where a public officer has competing interests between his/her official roles, or public duty.

Conflict of interest A conflict of interest involves a conflict between duty as a public officer, and personal or private interests.

Conflict of interest, perceived/apparent The perception that a public official’s private interests could improperly influence their public duty.

Conflict of interest, potential A potential conflict of interest arises where a public official has private interests that could conflict with their official duties in the future.

Conflict of role (see Conflict of duties)

Corruption The abuse of public office, or the public trust, for private advantage.

Declaration of interests The act of disclosing that a conflict of interest exists.

Enmity Feelings of ill will against another.

Integrity Integrity means earning and sustaining public trust by:

• Serving the public interest
• Using powers responsibly
• Acting with honesty and transparency
• Preventing and addressing improper conduct

Material benefit A personal advantage received by a public official.

Material personal interest (see also, Pecuniary interest) The expectation that a public official stands to gain or lose, from the outcome of a situation.

Misconduct Misconduct occurs when a public officer abuses their authority for personal gain, or to cause detriment to another person, or acts contrary to the public interest. (For a more detailed definition of misconduct under s.4 of the Corruption and Crime Commission Act 2003, refer to the Commission’s Notification Guidelines).

Non-pecuniary interest Non-pecuniary interests may arise from relationships, or other personal involvements that could bias decisions or judgements.

Pecuniary interest Pecuniary interests involve an actual or potential financial gain or loss.

Perceived conflict of interest (see Conflict of interest, perceived/apparent)

Personal interest (see Private interest—the terms are interchangeable)

Potential conflict of interest (see Conflict of interest, potential)

Private interest Interests of a personal nature, including financial interests, relationships, associations and activities.

Probity Honesty, ethical conduct and propriety in dealings.

Public duty Serving in the best interests of the public.

Public officer For the purposes of these guidelines, the definition of a public officer derives from section 1 of the Criminal Code, which defines a public officer as anyone in public employment who exercises authority under a written law, whether paid or unpaid.

Public official (see Public officer—the terms are used interchangeably)

Public sector organisation A public authority or public sector agency funded or partially funded by public monies. For the purposes of these guidelines, this includes, state government agencies, state educational institutions, local government councils, government-owned corporations, statutory authorities, boards or trading enterprises.

Secondary employment A second paid job undertaken by a public officer.

Transparency Transactions and decisions made are open to scrutiny.

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Some definitions have been adapted from Crime and Misconduct Commission/Independent Commission Against Corruption (2004) Managing Conflicts of Interest in the Public Sector: Toolkit pp. iii-viii