Managing conflicts of interest

At times there is a conflict between the performance of a public duty and private or personal interest.

Having a conflict of interest is not necessarily wrong. In fact, having a conflict of interest is very common, especially in Tasmania, where we live and work in a small community. What is important is that conflicts of interest are properly managed when they occur.

Arts Tasmania makes every effort to avoid conflicts of interest for both staff members and the peers involved in the assessment process.

Individuals employed by Arts Tasmania or involved in the assessment of applications, are responsible for declaring any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

They must identify:

• applicants that they have a current professional or personal relationship with; and,
• applications that relate to activities that they will directly benefit from.

If a conflict is identified in the peer assessment process, the peer must not assess or score that application. They must also leave the assessment meeting while the application is discussed.

If a conflict is identified between an applicant and a staff member, the staff member must step aside from all tasks associated with the program in question and their access to associated files will be restricted.

Arts Tasmania keeps records to formally document all conflicts of interest. Further information can be found in Part 2, Section 14 of the Cultural and Creative Industries Act 2017.