Fraud policy statement

The Clean Energy Regulator has a systematic and stringent approach to the prevention and detection of fraud committed against the agency.

Fraud is a significant threat to the integrity of our schemes and the credibility of the markets that we operate.

We are committed to minimising the incidence of fraud by identifying fraud risk and developing, implementing and continually reviewing fraud control measures.

For the purposes of this statement, fraud is defined as 'dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception or other means'. Examples of fraudulent activity or behaviour are:

accounting fraud (creating false invoices, misappropriation of funds, misuse of corporate credit cards and cab charge cards or vouchers)
theft of or unlawful use of Clean Energy Regulator assets, property, equipment, material or services
causing a loss to the Commonwealth
avoiding liability
providing false or misleading information in an application to the Clean Energy Regulator
misusing Obligation Transfer Numbers (OTNs) or using bogus OTNs
dishonestly influencing a Commonwealth public official, and
making a false entry in a Registry.

We are committed, to the maximum extent possible, to maintaining confidentiality and protecting those who provide information concerning alleged fraud. This protection applies to all people involved in our activities.

If we receive an allegation of fraudulent activity or behaviour, we will conduct further enquiries as part of our assessment processes.

Our processes for managing fraud align with the Australian Government Investigations Standards, as a best practice model for the investigation of offences under Commonwealth legislation and the Fraud Control Framework.

Where allegations are proven, the response will be commensurate with the findings and options available under our legislative enforcement provisions. These available options range from administrative, pecuniary and civil penalties, infringement notices and enforceable undertakings, through to prosecution.

Our aim is to develop a culture of fraud awareness internally and externally and make fraud prevention 'everyone's business'.

Internally, this culture is supported by mandatory fraud and ethics training to raise awareness of fraud and assist staff in preventing, detecting and reporting alleged fraud. We also have a range of controls, including staff directions, under the Public Service Act 1999.