Articles
In case you missed it
14 December 2018
NZ Ministers to release diaries
Government to proactively release Ministerial diaries Beehive.govt.nz
Government to proactively release Ministerial diaries Scoop.co.nz
Government ministers' meetings to be made public from next year Radionz.co.nz
Government to release ministerial diaries from January Stuff.co.nz
New Zealand transparency, integrity and accountability
Councils halt online voting trial for local body elections. Councils have been forced to halt a proposed trial of online voting in next year's local body elections due to costs. They will continue to work collaboratively with the relevant government sectors to deliver online voting for the 2022 local body elections.
Transparency trashed, Official Information Act plans kept secret .Your NZ. Although the mandate of the Official Information Act is to enable public access to Government information and improve transparency, it doesn't always work that way.
Algorithm stocktake: “need to take care in their use” . RNZ. The first ever stock-take into government agencies’ use of algorithms and predictive modelling to deliver their services to citizens, indicates the use of algorithms must be done with caution. The Government Chief Data Steward Liz MacPherson, along with the Government Chief Digital Officer, have looked at how fourteen government agencies use algorithms.
Bid to clean up NZ's business reputation divides submitters . Stuff highlights comments received from the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment discussion document on beneficial ownership.
Note: TINZ is not a "lobbying group" as stated. It is a corruption monitoring and thought leadership group, representing non-partisan views from throughout New Zealand.
New Zealand politics: how political donations could be reformed to reduce potential influence by Simon Chapple. The Conversation.
Norman Gemmell: Government seems to want a second source of fiscal advice. NZ Herald. The proposed introduction of an independent fiscal institution (IFI).
Friends or foes: Privacy Act and anti-money laundering law . Privacy Commissioner. In answer to the question ‘friends or foes?’, the Anti-Money Laundering Countering Financing of Terrorism Act and the Privacy Act could perhaps be described as friends that meet for coffee from time to time, but both parties aren’t so close that they’re likely to remember the other’s birthday.
Spy agency watchdog is committed 'encouraging and demonstrating transparency' NZ Herald. The department which oversees New Zealand's intelligence and spy agencies says the theme of much of its work this year had been "encouraging and demonstrating transparency."
From North Korean gun running to El Chapo's drugs cartel . Interest.co.nz. New Zealand Police have received more than 350 criminal investigation inquiries about New Zealand companies that the notorious Taylors established.
Sport
Gregor Paul: Rules and code of ethics far too blurred in rugby nzherald.com
Sustainable Development
Court decision on greenhouse gas emissions a warning for NZ .Newsroom. Sarah Meade reports that in a landmark judgment issued earlier this month, the Hague Court of Appeal ordered that the Dutch state’s target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was in breach of its duty to protect its citizens’ human rights, and was deemed illegal.
Whistleblowing
Turn up the volume on whistleblowing . Newsroom. The Government is currently carrying out their promised review of whistleblowing laws, something that is long overdue and in need of bold reform, says Dr Bryce Edwards. But he warns that politicians and officials seem to be trying not to rock the boat, leaving New Zealand vulnerable to corruption and other ethical wrongdoing.
One in 10 Kiwi workers have felt pressure to act 'unethically' Stuff. One in 10 Kiwi workers have felt some form of pressure to "compromise their organisation's standards of ethical behaviour", according to a survey by the British-based Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) and Victoria University.
Nearly half of whistleblowers treated badly by their bosses . NBR. Legislation important but organisational culture matters. NBR whistleblowing interviews with Michael Macaulay.
Note: Access to NBR (National Business Review) articles requires your simple one-time pre-registration which then entitles you to view two articles per week for free .
Many of the more radical ideas for encouraging and protecting whistleblowing appear to have received little support during “targeted consultations” run by the State Services Commission. However, the commission says there is still an opportunity for people to put their views forward. Public feedback will be sought before the Minister of State Services intends to report back to Cabinet in April 2019 to seek agreement on final policy proposals. Stuff.
Australia
After 15 years’ work, it’s time: Australia’s national integrity commission solution explained Fifteen years after Transparency International Australia and Griffith University researchers first assessed Australia as needing a comprehensive federal anti-corruption body, the full legislative plan is finally on the table.
Pacific
Fighting land corruption in Papua New Guinea Transparency International (press release) Betty contacted Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) to ... Like many other Transparency International chapters around the world, ...
International
Democratic establishments across the world continue to fall like dominoes under waves of popular anger and resentment against the decay of institutions riddled with corruption or captured by organised special interest. On Sunday, it was Brazil’s turn. “The revolt against a moribund political class transmutes into a revolt against democratic governance itself”
Anti-graft authorities to inspect financial firms China's disciplinary authorities are allocating supervision teams to large financial enterprises as part of the country's intensified efforts to fight corruption in the financial sector
The Struggle Against Corruption Timothy K. Kuhner Associate Professor, University of Auckland, Faculty of Law and TINZ member produced this video documentary with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The Struggle Against Corruption is a powerful 20-minute documentary piece featuring interviews with members of UNODC staff.
Research identifies the need for vastly improved on-line voting systems’ transparency and auditing to restore observable vote counting and electoral integrity as the basis of democracies, without which concealed, computerised vote counting systems are overly vulnerable to fraud.
#G20TAKEACTION - Transparency International takes anti-corruption message to streets of Buenos Aires In a last ditch attempt to get G20 leaders to take the fight against corruption seriously, Transparency International and its Argentinian chapter Poder Ciudadano, have lined streets in Buenos Aires with posters with the slogan “#G20TakeAction: Implement Your Anti-Corruption Commitments” in advance of this week’s summit.
political lobbying in the UK, following publication of a new Transparency International report into their activities.
UK suspends fast-track visa scheme for wealthy investors Eighty-two Indian nationals applied for an 'Investor (Tier 1) visa through this route between 2008 and March 2018, according to Transparency International.
German real estate market a hotbed of money laundering, Transparency reports . Deutsche Welle. Billions of euros of illicit funds are being funneled into German real estate, anti-corruption group Transparency International said in a report on Friday.
International Anti-Corruption Conference
News: PWYP calls for commitments on beneficial ownership disclosure and protection of civic space
The Copenhagen Declaration – Stand Together for Peace, Security and Development The 18th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Copenhagen brought together more than 1,800 delegates. These included former TINZ Patron, Sir Anand Satyanand, Chair, Suzanne Snively, CEO, Julie Haggie, Director, Josephine Serrallach and Board Legal Secretary, Sarah Mead.
Delegates were from civil society, governments, multilateral agencies, and the private sector from 144 countries. As an anti-corruption movement, delegates leave this conference stronger, more determined and more motivated to take action. They are a global force which will not be silenced.
18th IACC High Level Segment Commitments The 18th IACC included a high-level segment, where around 40 ministers, leaders of international organisations and private companies came together to discuss strategies for the international collaboration on anti-corruption. Participants presented concrete anti-corruption action plans and commitments.
Transparency International
Transparency International scrutinises Facebook, Google and Amazon over political lobbying . The Drum. Amazon, Facebook and Google are facing further questions over the extent of their political lobbying in the UK, following publication of a new Transparency International report into their activities.
International Anti-Corruption Day 9 December 2018: The power of people's pressure Transparency International (press release) (blog)Across the world, Transparency International chapters work hard to help the public become involved and engaged in the fight against corruption.
Employees given insufficient ethical support
14 December 2018
Guy Somerset
Senior Communications Advisor
Victoria University of Wellington
Only 29% of New Zealand employees surveyed say their organisation has a comprehensive ethics programme, while 10% say their organisation has none at all.
This Ethics at Work: 2018 survey of employees – Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom originated from the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) in 2005.
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Forums explore Well-being and Open Government
14 December 2018
Anne Gilbert
Open government is built on transparency, participation and accountability- it’s a cornerstone of good government, supporting New Zealanders to have their say on what matters to them.
The theme of the October Leaders Integrity Forum was Open Government and effectively listening to the people. Andrew Kibblewhite, Chief Executive,
Read more…Submissions schedule
14 December 2018
TINZ encourages you to exercise your democratic responsibilities by responding to invitations from government agencies, with your opinions on future direction-setting and legislation.
The following two centralised websites known to TINZ, invite and facilitate public submissions on a variety of legislation, policies, levies, plans and projects currently being processed, together with recently closed submissions:
- New Zealand Parliament’s Make a submission
- New Zealand Government’s Consultations – have your say .
Submission regarding OGP-NAP2 Plan 2016-2018 End-term self-assessment
TINZ Submission in response to the draft ‘Open Government Partnership New Zealand National Action Plan 2016-2018 (OGP-NAP2) End-term self-assessment’ report (Draft October 2018).Ministerial diary publication strengthens transparency
11 December 2018
Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) is encouraged by the public release of ministerial diaries. We applaud actions, such as the release of official information to the public, that lead to a stronger New Zealand integrity system.
Protected Disclosure Act 2000 Review 2018 TINZ Submission
Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ)’s submission to the Protected Disclosure Act 2000 Review 2018 It includes input and oversight by experts in the field, including Professor Michael Macaulay whose team recently released “Whistling while they Work 2” research, Debbie Gee who researched the Ministry of Transport case, as well as Suzanne Snively and Brendon Wilson.
Business Integrity is the BEST Anti-Corruption Measure
Business Integrity is the BEST Anti-Corruption Measure. Presentation by Suzanne Snively ONZM, Chair, Transparency International New Zealand for the KIC International Anti-Corruption Forum. 6 December 2018International Anti-Corruption Day
8 December 2018
On this day, Transparency International NZ (TINZ) wants to take the opportunity to celebrate the contribution that you make to strengthen integrity systems through transparency and to wish you all the best for the holiday season.
As we move from our daily routines to a more spiritual time with family, whanau and friends,
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