7. Declaring private interests as a senior executive

A senior executive (including an acting senior executive) must make a written declaration of private financial, business, personal or other interests or relationships that have the potential to influence, or could reasonably be perceived to influence, the senior executive’s duties, including decisions made, or advice given by the senior executive.

NESA senior executives must also identify immediate family members or friends who will present for HSC examinations in the 12 months from when they make their declaration.

Where a senior executive has no such private interests to declare, they must declare a ‘nil return’.

After a senior executive makes an initial declaration, a fresh declaration must be made:

• as soon as practicable, following any relevant change in the senior executive’s private interests
• as soon as practicable, following the senior executive’s assignment to a new role or responsibility
• at least annually.

Declarations must be made via the NESA Senior Executive Declaration of Interest form.

An acting senior executive is not required to make a fresh declaration on each ‘acting’ occasion and may rely on their most recent declaration, provided:

1. that declaration is brought to the attention of their current manager
2. there are no additional undeclared private financial, business, personal or other interests or relationships that have the potential to influence, or could be perceived to influence, decisions made, or advice given by the senior executive whilst they are acting.

A senior executive must provide their declaration to:

• the NESA CEO, or
• in the case of the NESA CEO, to the Secretary of the Premier’s Department.