Chair John Gould has written an article in the New Law Journal on the need to reset the standards of integrity within our public systems, specifically those in Government and Parliament. John explores the issue of dishonesty and the critical role integrity plays in maintaining public trust.
Using the recent election betting scandal as an example, he emphasises the economic and social ramifications of cheating and the improper use of confidential information. John discusses the Gambling Commission's power to license service providers and investigate cheating while criticising the idea that political parties or government entities must await the completion of investigations before taking action.
The article also explores the offence of misconduct in public office. John notes that the recent scandal highlights the need for rigorous enforcement of ethical standards. He concludes by reaffirming the importance of integrity in public service to prevent the erosion of public trust and stresses that serious corruption is a pressing issue that demands attention.
The abuse of a position of trust for personal advantage is not just morally reprehensible but also tends to undermine the essentials of effective government in the public interest.
If the allegations are true, they feed the perception that the standards of integrity in parts of our public systems are even lower than people imagine.
The full article is available to read online on New Law Journal, by subscription only.
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