The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, has announced the establishment of an independent probity board that will guide decision making within the Defense Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

 

The DSTO Probity Board will assist the organisation to establish a formal probity and ethical management framework and will also advise 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.

 

DSTO collaborates with industry and research organisations at home and abroad to provide scientific and technological support to Defence capability.

 

Mr Snowdon said 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.