Probity screening for appointments to boards and committees

The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to detail the probity screening process that applies to persons nominated for appointment to a Hospitality & Racing-related NSW Government board or committee.

This Fact Sheet should be read in conjunction with the NSW Government Boards and Committees Guidelines (Guidelines), which requires probity checks to be conducted for NSW Government board and committee nominees prior to recommendations for appointment being made. Where there is an inconsistency between this Fact Sheet and the Guidelines, the Guidelines will prevail.

When are probity checks conducted?

The probity screening process applies to persons nominated for the following positions:

Appointment to the Board of –

• Australian Turf Club
• Greyhound Racing NSW
• Harness Racing NSW
• Racing NSW
• Randwick Racecourse Trust

Appointment as a member/commissioner of -

• Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission
• Independent Casino Commission
• Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority
• Music Festivals Roundtable (Government Co-Chair)
• Responsible Gambling Fund Trustees

Appointment to any other board or committee as determined by the Minister for Gaming & Racing or the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister.

What is probity screening?

Probity screening is a process of gathering and reviewing evidence about a person, at a point in time, to assess the person’s general integrity and honesty.

What does probity screening involve?

Nominated persons must first provide informed consent for the Hospitality & Racing Group to conduct probity screening.

The following evidence will then be collected:

• Verification of identity
• Candidate disclosures / declarations about criminal, administrative or civil proceedings; bankruptcy; and conflicts of interest
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission Banned and Disqualified search
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission Enforceable Undertakings Register search
• Australian Financial Security Authority National Personal Insolvency Index search
• National Police check
• Qualifications check
• Open-source check
• Checks with relevant regulators or controlling bodies (for certain roles)

Probity determinations

At the conclusion of probity screening Hospitality & Racing will form an opinion about the nominated person’s integrity and make a recommendation to the Minister.

There may be occasions where an independent probity advisor is engaged to make a recommendation to the Minister.

If Hospitality & Racing forms an opinion that the nominated person does not meet an appropriate standard of integrity, the nominated person will be informed in writing and afforded an opportunity to make representations about that opinion within seven days of being notified.

Having considered such representations, should Hospitality and Racing confirm that they intend make a recommendation to the Minister that the nominated person does not meet an appropriate standard of integrity for appointment, the nominated person will be informed in writing and afforded the opportunity to withdraw their nomination.

The Hospitality & Racing Group will detail the final outcome of probity screening to the Minister for determination, except where the nominated person elects to withdraw their nomination.

Will my personal information remain confidential?

Personal information collected during probity screening will be stored securely and confidentially, with access strictly limited on a ‘need to know’ basis.

The collection, use, storage and destruction of personal information for the purpose of probity screening is governed by the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.

Contact Us

T: 1300 024 720 E: contact.us@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au W: www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au