Statement of Business Ethics

This statement has been developed to provide guidance on the standard of conduct and ethics that the Department of Transport (DoT) adheres to in all aspects of business: what our partners, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers can expect when conducting business with us; and what we expect of those we do business with.

Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) service providers must refer to the Statement of Business Ethics for DVS Contractors and Suppliers.

We connect the community with goods and services through a system of roads, railways, airports, ports, paths and waterways. We educate and regulate to keep the community safe within these networks. We coordinate and prioritise the transport-related infrastructure that allows our economy to grow.

Our purpose is Empowering a Thriving Community and we do this by living our values which are Accountability, Collaboration, Wellbeing and Adaptability. We are a values-driven organisation and our values underpin DoT culture and behaviours, helping to guide our day-to-day decision making and actions.

We require all our employees, contractors, agents and suppliers to always:

• act lawfully and exhibit the highest standards of integrity
• provide a culture and work environment free of discrimination.

We:

• comply with all applicable legislation, standards and policies
• act in accordance with Public Sector Code of Ethics, DoT values, Code of Conduct, and relevant policies and procedures
• subject to legal requirements, protect confidential and commercial in-confidence information
• do not accept any gifts, financial and non-financial benefits for performing our duties
• disclose and manage any situations that involve, or could perceive to involve, a conflict of interest
• act and make decisions fairly and impartially, in the public interest
• report and appropriately respond to unethical behaviour, misconduct and corruption.

You:

• declare any actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest as they become known
• understand and comply with the terms and conditions of any formal undertakings, contracts and commitments you have made with DoT
• treat all information you receive from DoT as confidential, unless otherwise indicated, and prevent the unauthorised disclosure of confidential information
• respect DoT (the States’) intellectual property rights
• do not offer any gifts, financial or non-financial benefits
• report unethical behaviour, misconduct and corruption involving DoT staff via one of the speak up pathways below).

If you are concerned about the conduct of DoT staff or feel we have not upheld the expectations in this statement, email ODGGovernanceandAudit@transport.wa.gov.au. Alternatively, you can report wrongdoing though any of the pathways below. 

Public interest disclosure

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 enables people to make disclosures about wrongdoing in the WA government sector without fear of reprisal and protects them when they do. If you wish to lodge a public interest disclosure, we encourage you to contact one of our PID officers for advice before lodging a disclosure using our lodgement form. 

Minor misconduct

To report suspected minor misconduct by a public officer to the Public Sector Commission, you can submit an online form, phone: (08) 6552 8888, or email: integrity@psc.wa.gov.au

Serious misconduct

The Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) assesses, investigates and exposes serious misconduct in the WA public sector. You can report corruption to the CCC online, phone: 1800 803 186, or email: reportcorruption@ccc.wa.gov.au

When everyone acts with integrity and in accordance with this statement, we help protect and preserve DoT and State resources.

In some circumstances, DoT has a duty to notify regulatory authorities of certain matters. For example, the Corruption, Crime and Misconduct Act 2003 requires DoT to notify the authorities of suspected misconduct.  

DoT’s contractors, subcontractors, and agents should also be aware that in certain circumstances, when performing functions of a public nature, they may be considered a ‘public officer’ under the law. 

For further information about this statement, please contact the officer responsible for your engagement with DoT or the Director Governance and Audit on (08) 6551 6473.