"Seriously corrupt" Gladys Berejiklian's appointment and continued employment at Singtel-Optus likely incompatible with Singtel Group Anti-Bribery And Corruption Policy

by Ganesh Sahathevan 

Singtel-Optus has said  with regards the corruption finding against its newly appointed Managing Director Gladys Berejiklian  that it "  acknowledges the ICAC report published in relation to Gladys Berejiklian’s time serving as a member of the NSW Parliament" .

It is easy to see, in light of the Singtel Group  Anti-Bribery And Corruption Policy, why that particular form of words has been utilised. The Singtel Group Anti-Bribery And Corruption Policy is clearly aimed at conduct of employees within the company, but reading it as if it does not apply to someone in Berejiklian's position is naive, foolish and if not disingenuous.

To begin with Singtel adopts a zero tolerance approach to bribery and corruption" in any form as set out in the Singtel Code of Conduct and reflected in its Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy (“ABC Policy”).The policy applies to  overseas Singtel entities, and that would include Singtel-Optus. 

On the strength of that declaration alone Berejiklian's  appointment, and now continued employment would be contrary to policy. 

Then, Singtel says:

1.3 We must at all times comply with the ABC Policy and all relevant anti-bribery and corruption laws including the Singapore Prevention of Corruption Act, the UK Bribery Act, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Australian Criminal Code Act (and equivalent state legislation), and other similar anti- bribery laws where we do business.

Continuing to employ someone who has been found to be "seriously corrupt" pursuant to the provisions of other similar anti- bribery laws where we do business which would include the NSW ICAC provisions, must surely be inconsistent with that policy 

As a  business lead  or function head  Berejiklian will also have to:

ensure all employees in her  sector, function or line of business are aware of the need to comply with this ABC Policy, and receive regular messages from the line management reminding them to comply;

 report as soon as possible any suspected breaches of this ABC Policy; 

ensure l records are accurate, complete and accessible for review, including records relating to commissions, travel and entertainment.

How someone who has been found to have been "seriously corrupt" for not disclosing a conflict of interest and who a former Auditor General said should have resigned for shredding documents might be appointed to a position with those requirements defies logic.

END 

To Be Read With 

Can the Government Of Singapore do business with a corporation led by a" seriously corrupt" politician - Finding of corruption against Singtel-Optus MD Gladys Berejikilian raises questions for the Government Of Singapore, Singapore GLCs that do business with Singtel-Optus

SGX listed, Temasek controlled Singtel runs into a serious governance problem : Singtel Optus Managing director Gladys Berejiliklian found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct , but cannot be sacked because employment contract includes clause that allows her to keep her job regardless of an adverse corrpution finding

Gladys Berejiklian's document shredding caused a former NSW Auditor-General to call for her resignation but Singtel Optus sees it as her strength in being able to build and foster "loyal and dedicated teams who really go above and beyond for her”?