Conflicts and Material Interests for Board/Board Committee/Entity Members

Western Sydney University has implemented a framework for the identification, declaration, and management of conflicts of interests and material interests for those individuals engaged in University business. This is detailed in the University’s Conflicts of Interest Policy, Conflicts of Interest Procedures, and Conflicts of Interest Guidelines.

This page is specifically for members of the following:

1. Board of Trustees
2. Board Executive Committee
3. Audit and Risk Committee
4. Finance and Investment Committee
5. University Infrastructure Committee
6. Western Growth Developments (Innovation Hub) Pty Ltd
7. Western Growth Developments (Westmead) Pty Ltd
8. Western Sydney University Early Learning Ltd
9. Western Sydney University Enterprises Board
10. The Whitlam Institute

For GENERAL WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY STAFF who are not members of the above, please visit the Compliance Program Unit webpage for information on the management of conflicts of interest and the Register on which to record.

There are two main reasons why a Conflicts of Interest framework exists at the University:

1. The University is committed to conducting its business and delivering higher education and research in a fair, transparent, accountable, and impartial manner that ensures public trust and confidence.
2. The University has particular legislative obligations to disclose the reporting and management of conflicts of interest under legislation such as the Corporations Act 2001, Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988, and Western Sydney University Act 1997.

The University must also collect information in these particular declarations for the purposes of preparing note disclosures for inclusion in its annual financial statements.

Requirements

The University requires all University representatives who are members of the above listed Boards and Committees to:

• act ethically at all times, with openness and fairness, and to proactively safeguard the performance of their official duties and responsibilities as University representatives against conflicts of interest;
• be aware of the types of conflicts of interest that are likely to arise within their areas of responsibility and operation, including identifying any significant or sensitive projects in their area that might warrant putting specific arrangements in place to manage any conflicts of interest; and
• ensure any conflicts of interests are documented, and that these conflicts are monitored and managed in accordance with the University’s Conflict of Interest Policy and procedures (including any specified in other University policies, such as the Code of Conduct).

To comply with relevant legislative or governance standards, the University maintains a Conflict of Interest Register for those specified University representatives to complete annual declarations of interest. The Register provides a central platform for the disclosure, management and reporting of conflicts of interests for these individuals to be recorded, monitored and managed.

For any conflicts of interests and/or material interests disclosed in the relevant meetings by those individuals with voting rights, the Office of Governance Services will be recording them on the Register on behalf of the individual declaring.

An Information Factsheet is available to download PDF, 395.59 KB which answers the most frequently asked questions as it relates to completing declarations on the Register.

Contact

All enquiries should be directed to interests@westernsydney.edu.au or phone (02) 4570 1415.