Privacy Commissioner's response following former Deputy Commissioner's conviction

1.  The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data Mr. Roderick B Woo issued the following statement following the former Deputy Privacy Commissioner’s conviction for abusing public money in the District Court today.

2.    "I am fully conscious that my Office is publicly funded and has a strict responsibility to account for the use of its money.  Since I took office in August 2005, I have reviewed and revised the policy for duty passage and overseas subsistence allowance (OSA) to ensure everyone in my Office will act, particularly in financial matters, with the highest integrity."  Mr. Woo said.

3.    Under the revised OSA system, all officers (including the Commissioner himself) are required to declare whether or not they have stayed at rented accommodation while overseas on duty visits.  All hotel accommodation arrangements must be made through the Office, and any application for re-imbursement has to be supported by invoices and receipts.

4.    To ensure that all staff are fully aware of their obligations, whenever an officer goes on an overseas duty visit, he/she is explicitly reminded of the provisions of the OSA.

5.   "I am sure that the revised policy for claiming overseas subsistence allowance, which is more stringent than what the government requires, will see that no one in my Office can gain any financial or other benefits dishonestly when making overseas duty visits." Mr. Woo said.



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