A uniformed Navy member who committed 54 fraud-related offences over two-and-a-half years has been jailed for seven years.

A civilian court was told the defendant had defrauded the Commonwealth of 213 000.

Fraud is defined as “dishonestly obtaining a benefit by deception or other means”.

Defence has a practice of recovering losses caused by illegal activity through proceeds of crime and civil recovery processes and, in the absence of criminal prosecution, to applying appropriate civil, administrative or disciplinary penalties.

As a results-focused and values-based organisation, Defence has a zero tolerance policy on fraud and expects its people to behave in an ethical manner.

Values and ethics set the standard for what we aspire to and how we work in the Defence workplace.

Fraud has no place in an ethical workplace and those who choose to commit acts of fraud will be risking their careers and their future.

Fraudulent or unethical behaviour will destroy a naval career and leave the perpetrator with a criminal record, therefore is wise to measure up the cost of your future against any monetary or other personal gain.

Defence has many controls in place, which monitor fraud through awareness and auditing.

If you are aware of any fraudulent activity in your workplace or within Navy generally, it is advised that you report this activity through your chain of Command.

If you are not comfortable with this approach, the Defence Whistleblower Scheme is available to make anonymous or confidential reports.

Links to assist with the management of fraud control and ethics awareness include:

• Chief Executive Instruction 2.1 Fraud Control in Defence
• Defence Instruction (General) ADMIN 10-6, Use of Telephone and Computer Resources
• Defence Instruction (General) FIN 12- 1, The Control of Fraud in Defence and the Recovery of Public Moneys
• Defence Instruction (General) PERS 25-4, Notification of Post Separation Employment
• Defence Instruction (General) PERS 25-5, Employment of immediate family members in the same chain of command and/or working environment
• Defence Instruction (General) PERS 25-6, Conflict of Interest and Acceptance of Offers of Gifts and Hospitality:
• Defence Instruction (General) PERS 45-5, Defence Whistleblower Scheme
• Defence Ethics and Fraud Awareness Campaign - with particular reference to the Ethics Handbook and Fraud Investigations - Advice to Commanders and Managers.

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