As 2025 draws to a close, CourtHeath would like to acknowledge the many individuals and organisations with whom we have had the pleasure to work with, across government, the not-for-profit sector, and beyond. It’s been a year of important reforms and collaborative effort. As always, we remain deeply appreciative of the trust placed in us, and of the partnerships that foster probity.

With the festive season upon us, now is the time to provide a reminder about gifts, benefits and hospitality.

Responding to Offers of Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality

Minimum Accountabilities in the VPSC Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy Guide include:

1.  Do not, for yourself or others, seek or solicit gifts, benefits and hospitality.

2. Refuse all offers of gifts, benefits and hospitality that:

• are money, items used in a similar way to money, or items easily converted to money;
• give rise to an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest (COI);
• may adversely affect your standing as a public official or which may bring your public sector employer or the public sector into disrepute; or
• are non-token offers without a legitimate business benefit.

3. Declare all non-token offers (valued at $50 or more) of gifts, benefits and hospitality (whether accepted or declined) on your organisation’s register, and seek written approval from your manager or organisational delegate to accept any non-token offer.

4. Refuse bribes or inducements and report inducements and bribery attempts to the head of the public sector organisation or their delegate (who should report any criminal or corrupt conduct to Victoria Police or the Independent Broad-based Anticorruption Commission (IBAC)).

Providing Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality

Minimum Accountabilities for public officials providing gifts, benefits or hospitality include:

1. Ensure that any gift, benefit and hospitality is provided for a business purpose in that it furthers the conduct of official business or other legitimate organisational goals, or promotes and supports government policy objectives and priorities.
2. Ensure that any costs are proportionate to the benefits obtained for the State and would be considered reasonable in terms of community expectations.
3. Ensure that when hospitality is provided, individuals demonstrate professionalism in their conduct, and uphold their obligation to extend a duty of care to other participants.

Supplier Code of Conduct

The Victorian Government Supplier Code of Conduct, which was updated with effect from April 2025, states:

Suppliers must not:

• offer to our personnel gifts or benefits that could reasonably be perceived as influencing them or undermining the integrity of their organisation or themselves; or
• take any action in order to entice or obtain any unfair or improper advantage from us.

Proper handling of gifts, benefits and hospitality (and associated offers) is fundamental to fostering and maintaining public trust.

Looking ahead

CourtHeath will be taking a break from close of business Friday 19 December 2025 and will re-open on 5 January 2026. While our offices are officially closed, we are available for urgent matters. Please text your advisor and also send an email during this time.

Best wishes for a joyful and safe holiday season.

Resources

• Minimum accountabilities (Victorian Public Sector Commission)
• Supplier Code of Conduct (Buying for Victoria)

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CourtHeath acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pays respect to Elders past and  present, and to the ongoing living culture of Aboriginal people.

A participant in the UN Global Compact, CourtHeath seeks to raise awareness about the sustainable development goals and the principles of the Global Compact with business and government organisations in Victoria.

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