A senior manager of a renewable energy technology company has been arrested and charged over allegedly attempting to bribe a Commonwealth public official during a product approval process.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested the man on Friday, following a joint investigation by the Queensland Police Service, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the AFP. He was formally charged with offering a secret commission to an agent, under section 442BA of the Queensland Criminal Code 1899, and will appear in court later today after being extradited from Sydney to Queensland.
It is alleged the man attempted to bribe the public official with $20,000 in cash.
Acting National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Kylie Kilgour said the investigation was a reminder of the Commission’s remit.
"In this case, the alleged corrupt conduct is an example of someone attempting to influence a Commonwealth public official’s honest and impartial performance of their duties and functions. This is a form of corrupt conduct under the NACC Act,” she said.
The Commission acknowledges the appropriate conduct of the Commonwealth public official and the agency they work for in swiftly reporting what happened to the Commission.
Since our commencement we have secured 11 convictions. Five other cases are before the courts.
Editor's note: Footage of the arrest is available via Hightail