Page title

Conflict of interest and arm's length

When applying for a scheme administrated by QRIDA, you will be asked to indicate whether there are any conflicts of interest related to your application. For some schemes, you will be asked about whether agreements in relation to the application are at arm’s length.

What is a conflict of interest?

Queensland Government staff have a duty to act in the public interest and not let their personal interests influence the decisions they make. A conflict of interest (COI) occurs when a person or group’s private interests could, may be seen to, or does influence their professional responsibilities.

When applying, you will be asked to tell us in your application if there is a COI related to your application as part of QRIDA’s Fraud and corruption control strategy. If you have a relationship that may present a COI, you will need to answer Yes and provide us with information to help us understand the COI and decide if there is anything we need to do in regard to this COI.

QRIDA staff are required to disclose COIs internally, but this does not remove the need for related applicants to include it on their application form. If you provide someone’s personal information when disclosing a COI, you must inform them of QRIDA’s Privacy Policy so they understand how their information will be managed.

Disclosing a COI does not mean your application will be declined. Rather, it supports our staff to act with integrity and avoid being put in a position where integrity may be questioned. Not disclosing a COI may be a breach of QRIDA scheme guidelines.

What kinds of conflicts of interest are there?

Some common examples of COIs include:

• you or someone you have a relationship with works for or used to work for QRIDA
• you or someone you have a relationship with works for the Queensland Government
• your business provides or used to provide goods or services to QRIDA.

A conflict of interest may be:

• actual when the conflict actually exists. For example, a family member or friend currently works for QRIDA.
• potential when the conflict is likely to occur. For example, a family member or friend is applying for a job at QRIDA.
• perceived when it could appear to a disinterested person that there is a conflict. For example, a family member or friend works for another Queensland Government agency.

What is arm’s length?

An agreement is at arm’s length when two parties make a deal independently and without giving each other special treatment because they are friends, family, or have another business relationship.

This includes retailers, suppliers, contractors, installers, or any other person or business who has provided you or your business with goods and/or services that you are seeking assistance for from a QRIDA scheme.

QRIDA may ask you when applying to declare if you have any relationships which may raise concerns that an agreement is not at arm’s length. If you have such a relationship, it is helpful for you to provide us with the following information:

• the person’s name
• your relationship with them
• how you have confirmed that the agreement is at arm’s length.

For example: You have obtained a quote for disaster recovery works from your cousin because they are able to attend sooner than anyone else in your area. When submitting your application, you could provide two quotes from other businesses to show that your cousin is charging you a fair price.

Declaring your relationship does not mean your application will be declined. Instead, it allows you to demonstrate to us that the price is fair. If you have not provided enough information, QRIDA will contact you for more details. Not declaring a relationship may breach QRIDA scheme guidelines.

More information

We understand that individual circumstances vary and it may be difficult to figure out what information you need to give us.

If you have any questions or concerns in relation to COI or arm’s length relationships, please contact us before submitting an application. If you have already applied, please speak with your Assessment Officer.