Media Statement: The Treasury to publish its register of gifts and hospitality
21 Jul 2011
Recently appointed Secretary to the Treasury Gabriel Makhlouf says that under his stewardship, the organisation will periodically publish an updated register of the gifts and hospitality received by its staff.
"The department has a policy that requires all of its staff to record any gifts or entertainment estimated to value $50 or more. As part of a review of that policy, I have decided that it is important that the register is publicly available on an ongoing basis," Mr Makhlouf said.
The Treasury’s guidelines on registering gifts are consistent with the public service Code of Conduct, and principles and guidelines that are published by the Office of the Auditor-General.
The principles underlying the Treasury’s policy include that gifts be documented and be justifiable in terms of its work, and that acceptance of them does not compromise the Treasury’s impartiality as it conducts its wide-ranging work.
"As Secretary, I expect all staff to maintain the highest standard of probity at all times and to judge all offers of gifts and hospitality against our policy," Mr Makhlouf said.
A copy of the register recording corporate hospitality and gifts received by staff at the Treasury during the 2010/11 financial year up until 15 June 2011 is available at: http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/informationreleases/giftregister.
