OECD - Managing Conflicts of Interest

“The breaking down of barriers between public and private sectors – through the privatisation of services, public/private partnerships and exchanges of personnel – has created grey zones and opportunities for corruption.”

“Considering the volume of transactions between public and private sectors, and the financial interests at stake, unmanaged conflicts of interest can impose a heavy cost on a country’s economy. They can in particular distort competition and the allocation of public resources, waste public money and trigger well-publicised scandals that weaken citizens’ trust in public institutions.”

On the eve of new arrangements for new partnerships in New Zealand between the public and private sectors, all should take heed of the OECD Policy Brief of September 2005, OECD Guidelines for Managing Conflict of Interest in the Public Service.

Please click here to download a copy of the full OECD Policy Brief.