Reporting Fraud

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Council is committed to the control and elimination of all forms of fraud and corruption, and to create an ethical environment and culture that discourages and prevents fraud

What is fraud?

Fraud is 'Dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception or other means'.

This definition includes (but is not limited to):

  • theft
  • accounting fraud (false invoices, misappropriation, etc.)
  • unlawful use of, or obtaining property, equipment, material or services
  • causing a loss, or avoiding or creating a liability
  • providing false or misleading information to the Council, or failing to provide it when there is an obligation to do so
  • misuse of Council assets, equipment or facilities
  • making, or using false, forged or falsified documents

In this definition, 'benefit' refers both to tangible items, such as money or objects, and intangible benefits including power, status or information.

Who should report fraud?

Everyone working for Council has a responsibility to prevent, detect and report any suspected fraud incidents against Council. This includes staff, contractors and service providers. Suspected fraud incidents can be reported through the channels outlined below.

Consultants, clients and members of the public are strongly encouraged to report any suspected fraud incidents against Council.

How to report fraud

Contact the Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (07) 4621 8000

Email us: Council@bulloo.qld.gov.au

Write to us:

Fraud Control
Chief Executive Officer
Bulloo Shire Council
PO Box 46
THARGOMINDAH QLD 4492

What Information should I provide?

You don’t have to tell us your name or give us any other contact details. The more information and specific details you can provide about your allegation the easier it will be for us to take action. It helps us if you can provide the following:

  • Who is involved? Include as much detail as you can such as the name of the person or organisation, date of birth, addresses and phone numbers
  • What fraud do you think has occurred? Including how, when and where it occurred.
  • Your contact details.

What will happen next?

Council will take all allegations of fraud seriously. Your information will be assessed and, where appropriate, investigated. The more information you can provide at the early stages, the better able we are to look into the matter.

Council will try to respond to your allegations. Sometimes we can’t tell you what we’re doing about an allegation because of privacy restrictions or the integrity of any investigation. In particular, please note that if your allegation involves another individual, we might not be able to give you any information about the conduct or outcome of the investigation due to our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.

Privacy statement

Personal information is protected by law, including the Privacy Act 1988. Any personal information collected from you when you contact us, will only be used for purposes connected to the investigation of your allegations, including contacting you if further information is required.

We keep your identity confidential. We will not disclose your personal information without your consent, unless authorised or required by law.