Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, today announced that the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has established an independent probity board.
The DSTO Probity Board will assist the organisation to establish a formal probity and ethical management framework to guide decision-making.
The board will also provide advice on risks and consequences of specific industry engagement and on options for managing those risks. It will provide advice to the Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Robert Clark.
“The DSTO Probity Board has been established to increase stakeholder and public support in DSTO’s scientific and technical advice to Defence,” Mr Snowdon said.
The three inaugural board members are Executive Director of the St James Ethics Centre Simon Longstaff, Director Allen Consulting Grahame Cook and former Mallesons Stephens Jaques chairman Frank Zipfinger.
“The three board members bring a wide range of knowledge and experience to the board and this will assist DSTO to further develop a robust probity and ethical decision-making process,” Mr Snowdon said.
DSTO collaborates with industry and research organisations at home and abroad to provide high-level scientific and technological support to Defence capability.
The independent probity board will help DSTO implement systems to ensure its dual role of working with industry to develop solutions for Defence capability and of providing technical advice to Defence on acquisitions can be carried out without perceptions of conflict of interest or bias.
Media Contacts:
Alice Plate (Minister Snowdon): 0400 045 999
Karen Polglaze 02 6128 6384
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
