“We acknowledge the majority of our workers are committed to excellent standards regarding all issues covered by the code and our corporate values.”

For its part, the organisation is committed to:

• building an ethical workplace environment
• maintaining and enhancing public confidence in the integrity of Council and its workers
• seeking to ensure that anyone who behaves contrary to the principles, corporate values and standards contained in this code is subject to appropriate and consistent disciplinary action.

While reasonable efforts to behave ethically and ‘actions in good faith’ will be supported, failure to comply with the code, or unethical or corrupt conduct may result in Council taking a range of actions. These could include: 

• informal counselling, plus a letter of expectations or cautionary notice
• initiating procedures to manage diminished (poor) performance
• disciplinary action in line with the Local Government Regulation 2012, which may be one or more of the following:
  • dismissal
  • demotion, including a reduction in remuneration
  • a deduction from salary or wages of an amount of not more than 2 penalty units
  • a written reprimand or warning.

You may also be suspended from duty in certain circumstances including, but not limited to:

• where there is a risk or potential risk to health and safety
• where concerns about your conduct are being investigated or otherwise addressed
• where there may be loss or damage to Council property or assets 
• if there is a suspicion of fraud or other corrupt conduct
• where your actions lead to a loss or suspension of requirements mandatory for your position, such as driver licence, Blue Card, Registered Professional Engineer Queensland (RPEQ) registration or similar
• while an investigation is progressed 
• while charges are determined by the relevant court. 

The principles of natural justice will be observed. This means that before a decision is made about you, you have the right to:

• be informed about the nature and content of the allegations against you
• provide a response to the allegations
• have any decision made by an objective decision-maker.

Additionally, serious breaches of the code that could amount to a criminal offence may be referred to the Queensland Police Service and/or the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC). Allegations of corrupt conduct or suspected corrupt conduct may be referred to the CCC for investigation, in accordance with the requirements of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.

Council reserves the right to implement any civil action or claim to recover losses or compensation for damage resulting from fraud or corruption activities.