WCC Media release: Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Reducing fraud and corruption through new policy
Wollongong City Council will give a preference to local suppliers as part of a new approach
to purchasing goods and services.
Administrators tonight adopted a comprehensive procurement policy to guide purchasing
of goods and services, tendering, quotes, contract management and payments made by
Council staff.
Administrator Richard Colley said at its core the new policy is designed to reduce Council’s
risk of fraud and corruption by following best practice guidelines outlined by the
Independent Commission Against Corruption.
“There is always a risk of corruption or fraud when it comes to procurement, so we need to
have tight controls and procedures in place for staff to follow,” Mr Colley said.
“Over the past two years we have reviewed and updated the majority of Council’s policies
and procedures to make sure they reflect good governance principles. This includes taking
account of any conflict of interest and minimising risk of unethical behaviour.”
“The new procurement policy also makes a commitment to spend the community’s money
wisely, pay attention to the environmental impact of what we’re purchasing and look at the
‘whole of life’ cost of products,” Administrator Colley said.
“In an effort to boost our local economy and assist local businesses, where appropriate we
will now give a preference to suppliers from the Illawarra and have clear rules about how
that will apply.”
Council’s new procurement policy is available on our website. All Council staff involved in
purchasing will take part in education and training to understand the new policy and
detailed operating procedures.
