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Misconduct is improper behaviour by a public officer, as defined in the Integrity Commission Act 2009. It means:

  • breaching an applicable code of conduct
  • exercising functions or powers dishonestly or improperly
  • misusing information obtained in carrying out duties
  • misusing public resources, or
  • adversely affecting or attempting to adversely affect the honest or proper performance of another public officer.

‘Serious misconduct’ means misconduct that could lead to a public officer losing their job or being charged with a serious offence.

The Commission only considers the conduct of public sector employees, which includes those working in:

  • Local Government
  • the Tasmanian State Service
  • a Statutory Authority
  • a government business or state-owned company
  • Tasmania Police
  • the University of Tasmania

We also consider the conduct of Members of Parliament. We do not however have jurisdiction over alleged misconduct by Members of Parliament in connection with a proceeding in Parliament.

Some examples

Misconduct by public officers could include:

  • using public resources or property for personal benefit
  • accepting money or gifts to take action or make a decision
  • not declaring or managing a conflict of interest, for example, purposefully allocating contracts to a friend’s business or employing a relative without proper recruitment or selection processes
  • the use of excessive force, including by a police or prison officer, or
  • the unauthorised release or use of official information, including using work databases for personal reasons.

The Integrity Commission is not a court of law. We cannot apply sanctions, or decide if people are guilty of criminal offences.

Find out more about misconduct risks in Tasmania.

This page was last updated on 07 Sep 2022.