Conflict of Interest

Declaration of Personal Interests

On an annual basis, academic staff, and professional staff who are HEW 8 or above and hold delegation of authority are required to make a statement of interest declaration.

Declarations of interest can be made via ServiceNow.


FAQs

  • Academic staff
  • Professional staff who are Hew 8 or above and hold delegation of authority

The University requires staff to make a declaration of personal interest on an annual basis and when any personal interest changes or a new personal interest arises. The University also requires all staff to make a declaration of personal interest upon appointment to a role or position within the University or its controlled entities. The period of declaration for annual declarations is 1 December of the previous year to 30 November of the current year. For declarations at the time of the appointment, the period of declaration is from the date of the appointment with no date in the to field.

Personal interests that are required to be declared, includes, but is not limited to, those interests of:

  1. Sources of income from outside work;
  2. Interest and positions in corporations (such as directorships);
  3. National and international academic appointments, including non-remunerated appointments, at academic and other organisations not affiliated with the University;
  4. Significant shareholdings of more than 5% of a company’s voting rights;
  5. Significant investments in real estate which may create a conflict of interest or impact your ability to fulfil your role at the University of Newcastle;
  6. Positions of membership in professional or business associations;
  7. Other beneficial interests which may, to a reasonable person, be considered as relevant to the University;
  8. Relationships where the nature of which gives rise to, or may be seen to give rise to a conflict of interest with public duties or responsibilities held at the University; and
  9. Any of the above held by a close family member or an associate which may, to a reasonable person, be considered as relevant to the University.
  10. Gifts, benefits and hospitality received (in excess of $100) either individually or collectively from a single source.

Close family members is a defined term meaning those family members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, your dealings with the University of Newcastle or its controlled entities. It includes, but is not limited to:

  • your children
  • your spouse or domestic partner
  • children of your spouse or domestic partner
  • dependants of you, and
  • dependants of your spouse or domestic partner.

‘Children’ include step, adoptive, dependant, non-dependant, adult children and children not living at home (unless they are estranged).

‘Spouse or domestic partner’ includes married, de facto, civil union partnerships, but excludes separated or divorced spouses or partners.

‘Dependants’ are any family members who are financially supported by you or your spouse or domestic partner and may include elderly dependants or disabled family members.

Close family members excludes siblings, parents and other extended family, unless they may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, your dealings with the University of Newcastle or its controlled entities. This may arise where they are a dependant as defined above, living in your household or where you have shared business interests. If you are unsure whether a person is a close family member under this definition, we strongly recommend you include their details in the Certificate for completeness.

An entity is controlled or jointly controlled typically when you and/or any close family members exercise effective control (whether singularly or combined) through the shareholding and/or voting power in the entity.

Examples of entities controlled or jointly controlled by you and/or any close family members could be:

  • A company where you and/or close family members control more than 50% of the voting power
  • A company where you have a 30% shareholding and your spouse has a 30% shareholding
  • A company where you have a 40% shareholding and the remaining shareholding is widely dispersed
  • A partnership of two people where your spouse is one of the partners
  • A superannuation fund self-managed by you or your spouse (including through a corporate trustee)

Examples of entities not controlled or jointly controlled by you and/or any close family members could be:

  • A company where you have a 25% shareholding and your spouse has a 5% shareholding
  • A partnership of three people where your spouse is one of the partners
  • A large consultancy practice with multiple partners where your son is a partner
  • Blind trusts

You must complete a new statement of interest declaration as soon as reasonably practicable but within 30 days.