Cook Islands Public Service Commissioner, Carl Hunter, joined over 400 delegates from across the region at the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference (APSACC) held in Darwin, Australia, late last month.

The three-day event, themed “Meeting the Integrity Challenge: The Power of Innovation, Diversity and Collaboration,” is Australia’s premier corruption prevention forum and began with a workshop followed by a two-day conference.

The event convened regional and international experts on anti-corruption, focusing on risk identification, emerging trends, and innovative approaches to combat corruption and strengthen workplace integrity.

The conference, which was hosted by the Australian Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) and organised in partnership with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), provided a valuable platform for participants to engage in candid discussions on how to combat corruption both nationally and regionally, with specific focus on preventing, exposing and responding to corrupt conduct and corruption risks in the public sector, including all levels of government, elected bodies, the judiciary, police, and statutory bodies.

The workshop for the Australian ICAC and Pacific representatives was organised by the Australian National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), with ICAC members and representatives from the region sharing best practices for preventing corruption and maintaining public sector integrity.

In his contribution to the workshop, Public Service Commissioner Hunter outlined the progress on the development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) for the Cook Islands, which has been funded by UNODC, and is currently awaiting endorsement by the Cook Islands Government.

During the conference, views were exchanged on a number of topics, with the conference recognising the growing concern and financial and social impact of corruptive practices, particularly by organised criminal syndicates across national borders, and highlighting the need for strengthened regional cooperation in an effort to combat these activities.

Commissioner Hunter participated in several sessions focused on critical issues, including combating apathy and tolerance for misconduct “when overall you’re doing good”; balancing independence and collaboration for improved integrity outcomes in the public sector; the increasing role for data science and data analytics in preventing and dealing with corruption and prevention priorities; using data and artificial intelligence to target high-risk areas; and harnessing digital communication for corruption awareness and prevention.

“The APSACC Conference provided a valuable platform for beneficial discussions among delegates, and engagement with integrity agencies from Australia’s State and Federal Governments with participants able to share their experiences and best practices for preventing corruption, maintaining public sector integrity, and ensuring accountable use of public monies,” Commissioner Hunter said.

“I wish to commend the Australian ICAC’s anti-corruption leadership and the Australian Government’s recent pledge to support Pacific Island Countries vulnerable to highly resourced, transnational criminal syndicates, as well as acknowledge the UNODC’s commitment to provide additional funding once the NACS is endorsed in the Cook Islands and the Implementation Plan rolled out. This includes the provision of advice, guidance and technical support to the Cook Islands once the NACS has been endorsed, and there is a need for us to reach out.

“I also wish to take this opportunity to convey my sincere gratitude to the Government of Australia for both inviting me to attend this conference, and providing the necessary funding via UNODC to cover my full travel costs to and from the conference, and also to the Prime Minister Mark Brown for his support in attendance of this conference, and his ongoing commitment to supporting anti-corruption efforts.”

• Sian Solomon/OPSC