13.  Probity requirements

All commercial transactions by the Victorian Government must be conducted in accordance with the Victorian Government Purchasing Board Guidelines - Managing Probity (2013) and Guide to Managing a Probity Practitioner (2013). Refer to www.vgpb.vic.gov.au. These guidelines outline the key principles governing probity and the role of Probity Practitioners.

The Victorian Public Service Code of Conduct (available on www.ssa.vic.gov.au) applies to all Victorian Government employees involved in PPP projects.

The engagement of private sector advisers as part of the Procurement team will need to include confidentiality and conflict of interest requirements.

In accordance with the national guidelines, Project Directors are responsible for implementing Conflict of Interest (COI) guidelines and the principles based approach to the assessment of any COI event that arises. The Project Director may be supported by a senior responsible office in the Procuring Agency and a DTF project officer. All COI assessments in engaging private sector advisers are considered as part of the evaluation process and notifications made in accordance with that process. All COI assessments for private sector advisers outside the initial tender engagement process must be conducted in a timely manner and the adviser promptly notified of the outcome.

In relation to bidding companies, Related Party Probity principles are outlined in the National PPP Guidelines: Volume 2 Practitioner's Guide.