Section 3 - Management & Accountability (continued)
Security and Fraud Control
The refurbishment project continues to take up considerable time and effort for the Mint Security section. The Security Section is responsible for the continuous monitoring and review of protective security requirements for the refurbishment project to ensure an appropriate level of protective security is maintained throughout the project construction stages. As a result of the shared facilities issues raised by the strategy of the construction program, the Mint completed 582 security checks for construction personnel in the 2007–08 financial year.
The Mint Security Section also provided advice to the Refurbishment Project Team on the design and implementation of protective security requirements. The refurbishment project provides further enhancements to the Mint’s existing security systems.
The Mint has reviewed its Fraud Control Plan 2006–08 (FCP) in accordance with Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines. The update of the FCP was completed with reviews of all fraud risks and the implementation of adequate control measures to ensure compliance with all guidelines. The Mint is satisfied that appropriate fraud prevention, detection, investigation and reporting procedures are in place and that annual fraud data has been collected and reported in line with appropriate guidelines.
The Mint Security, Fraud and Ethics program was implemented in 2007. The plan was developed in order to increase the awareness of staff in the following areas:
- ethical behaviour standards
- fraud prevention
- Australian Public Service Code of Conduct and
- Australian Government protective security standards.
Staff have been surveyed throughout the program to gauge its effectiveness.
The Mint also completed a comprehensive review of its personnel security processes and its compliance with the Australian Government Protective Security Manual. The review noted a number of required changes that have been or are currently being implemented.
2008–09 looks to be another busy year for the Mint Security Team. While the refurbishment project is due for completion in 2009, the ongoing monitoring and review of the protective security requirements of the project will continue to be performed daily.
The refurbishment project will also necessitate a number of functional changes to Mint operations as the project moves towards completion. These functional changes will require the formulation and implementation of a number of new and reused policies and procedures to ensure the Mint functions and resources are adequately protected.
Prior to December 2008 the Mint will also develop and implement a new FCP. The new FCP will take account of any functional changes or high risk activities undertaken in the Mint. The FCP will also identify strategies and policies to remain fully compliant with the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines.