Council aims to achieve the highest standards of integrity and accountability when doing business, working with the community and delivering services—in line with Local Government Act 2009, our procurement policy and our code of conduct.
Similarly, business clients, suppliers and service providers have ethical and privacy obligations when offering services to government.
If a contractor or its subcontractors have access to or responsibility for holding personal information, they must:
- Comply with parts 1 and 3 of chapter 2 of the Information Privacy Act 2009 as if the contractor were the ‘principal’ (in this case, Council)
- Ensure that the personal information is protected against loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure, and against other misuse
- Ensure that personnel do not access, use or disclose the personal information other than in the performance of their duties
- Immediately notify Council if they become aware that a disclosure of personal information is, or may be, required or authorised by law
- Fully cooperate with Council to enable them to respond to
- Applications for access to, or amendment of, a document containing an individual’s personal information
- Privacy complaints
- Comply with any other privacy and security requirements as Council requires
- Not use the personal Information other than for the contract’s purpose unless required or authorised by law
- Not disclose the personal information without the written agreement of Council, unless required or authorised by law
- Not transfer the personal information outside Australia without Council consent.
If Council is not reasonably satisfied that the contractor has practices in place to observe and maintain the privacy and disclosure of information requirements for personal information, it may require the contractor to make its subcontractors aware of their obligations, including having them sign a privacy undertaking in a form approved by Council.
Your obligations
As a supplier to the Council, you are expected to:
- Not pressure Council officers to overlook ethical obligations
- Avoid collusion and unfair practices
- Disclose likely conflicts of interest
- Maintain confidentiality of information that must remain confidential
- Provide accurate information
- Help deter unethical practices and fraud by promptly reporting your concerns
- Respect your ethical obligations.
Benefits and gifts
In line with Council policy, as a general rule, officers must either refuse or surrender benefits, gifts, hospitality, travel or accommodation.
Jurisdiction of the Ombudsman
You, as a potential service provider to Council, should be aware section 12A of the Ombudsman Act 2001 (Qld) has the potential to put services provided by contractors under the jurisdiction of the Queensland Ombudsman to investigate and be subject to its recommendations. You are expected to cooperate with the Ombudsman if such investigations were to occur.
Responsible reporting
Unethical conduct or fraud is not acceptable. If you become aware of any issues, report them in writing (either by letter, email or online via the complaints form) or verbally (in person at Council offices or by phone), addressed to the Chief Executive Officer via:
Read our Complaints Management - Council Policy
Read our Council privacy statement(PDF, 315KB)
Read our Fraud and Corruption Control - Council Policy
Visit the Office of the Information Commissioner Queensland Privacy Legislation in Queensland website.
Visit the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Reporting Fraud website.
Visit the Queensland Ombudsman website.