Code of Conduct

Principles of Conduct for the Public Sector

As public officials, board members and counsellors have a particular obligation to act in the public interest. All members of NSW Government boards and committees must comply with the Ethical Framework for the public sector set out in the Government Sector Employment (GSE) Act 2013.

The NSW Government core values are set out in the GSE Act 2013, are:

• Integrity
• Trust
• Service
• Accountability

These values are the heart of how we work and, if applied consistently, they also help us to maintain the trust of the public.

Responsibility and impartiality

Board members and counsellors will comply with the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law, and with the principles contained in this Code.

Board members and counsellors must comply with any relevant administrative requirements, policies and decisions of the government of the day in an impartial manner.

Respect for people

Board members and counsellors will treat each other, the secretariat staff and others with whom they deal fairly and consistently, in a non-discriminatory manner and with proper respect, courtesy and sensitivity to their interests, rights, safety and welfare.

Honesty integrity and public interest

Board members and counsellors must promote confidence in the integrity of public administration. They should always act honestly and in the public interest, rather than in their private interest.

Responsive service

Board members and counsellors should understand their role, the role of the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, and the relationship to the Department of Customer Service and its executive leadership team.

Economy and efficiency

Board members and counsellors should look for ways to improve organisational performance and achieve high standards of public administration.

Personal and Professional Behaviour

Board members and counsellors will:

• perform their functions with integrity, impartiality, honesty, conscientiousness and loyalty to the public interest
• act in the interest of the Geographical Names Board in all their deliberations
• exercise due care and diligence in fulfilling the functions of board and exercising the powers attached to that office
• not engage in conduct likely to bring discredit upon the Geographical Names Board or take improper advantage of their position as Board members.

Accountability

Decision Making

Board members and counsellors will use Board meetings as the appropriate forum for discussion of all relevant issues.

Board members will bring an independent judgement to decisions.

Board members will act with diligence and care and seek to make decisions that are honest, fair, impartial, and timely, based on consideration of the relevant facts and supported by adequate documentation.

Use of Public Resources

Board members and counsellors must use public resources in an efficient, effective, and prudent way.

Never use public resources (money, property, equipment, or consumables) for your personal benefit, or for an unauthorised purpose.

Use of Official Information

Confidential information received by a Board member during the exercising of their duties remains the property of the Geographical Names Board and it is improper to disclose it, or allow it to be disclosed, unless that disclosure has been authorised or is required by law.

Board members will refrain from public comment on the Board, its deliberations or the operations and business of the Geographical Names Board unless authorised or required by law.

Gifts and Benefits

Board members and counsellors must be wary of accepting gifts and benefits as this can place a public official in a position where they feel obligated to act contrary to rules of integrity, impartiality and honesty.

Board members and counsellors must not accept gifts or benefits that could place them under an actual or perceived financial or moral obligation to other organisations, or to individuals.

Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure of Interests

Board members and counsellors must not allow personal interests, or the interests of any associated person or constituency, to conflict with the interests of the Geographical Names Board.

The DCS Conflicts of Interest Declaration form and the DCS Pecuniary Interest Declaration form is to be completed by all members of the Board when they are appointed and updated as circumstances change.

Members are also required to identify any conflicts or possible conflicts or pecuniary interests at each meeting at which the Board is to consider a matter for which a conflict is present or may be present.

Reporting Suspected Corrupt Conduct

Corrupt conduct is the dishonest or partial exercise of public official functions. It may also involve the conduct of non-public officials which adversely affects the honest and impartial exercise of a public official's functions.

Board members and counsellors will report improper conduct or misconduct which has been, or may be occurring in the workplace and report the details to the relevant people or agency.

Board members are to familiarise themselves with their rights and responsibilities under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 and the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022