Risk of corruption in bureaucracy, an Australian report analyses

THE Australian bureaucracy, known for its high efficiency and delivery, is also fraught with corruption charges though the nature of such acts is quite different from that of India.

According to a report published by The Canberra Times recently, the Commission for Public Administration’s annual Over the Horizon report says the bureaucracy investigated 20 incidents of alleged fraud and graft in 2009-10, up from 12 in 2008. What is interesting is the nature of corruption. The report found the greatest risk to the public service's integrity was staff fraud, such as false pay claims, theft and misuse of office equipment and fuel cards. Significantly, many of such aspects like photocopying for personal use or personal phone calls etc. are often ignored from the purview of corruption in India.

In Australia, three public servants were referred to police for such acts. It was also mentioned that corrupt bureaucrats pose a greater danger to Canberra taxpayers than fraudulent members of the public.

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