High-tech devices such as iPhones, iPads and camcorders topped the list of gifts that were given to New South Wales public officials. Next to the gadgets, also high on the list of bribe items masked as gifts were beach holidays, football tickets and gift vouchers.

Independent Commission Against Corruption Counsel Steve Campbell disclosed Tuesday an ongoing investigation of a $1.5-million corruption scandal. He said bribes were given to 88 council and 22 other state institution officials in exchange for placing more or bigger orders.

"The public official, often on a modest income, appreciates the benefit and obliges, placing further orders whether the goods are required by his employer or not; whether the price is fair or not; and eventually whether all of the goods, or even any of them are delivered, or not," he told The Australian.

Campbell said the 110 organisations identified could just be the tip of the iceberg and hinted more councils may be deeply involved in the culture of giving and receiving of incentives.

"The results of the investigation show that this culture (has) been so pervasive that one can have no confidence that we have accurately outlined the full extent of its reach," Campbell added.

Besides ordering more goods, in one instance, an official from the Bathurst Regional Council allegedly processed invoices of more than 400 kilometres of road safety mesh, which is sufficient to cover the entire Great Western Highway between Bathurst and Sydney and back.

Another official from the Yass Valley Council reportedly bought 4,000 highway guide posts, which be more than enough to line the Hume Highway between Yass and Sydney three times over.

Since the investigation could not gather oral evidence from all the 110 organisations, Campbell said the ICAC would focus on just 15. These are: Ballina Shire Council, Bathurst Regional Council, Broken Hill City Council, Burwood Council, Byron Shire Council, the City of Botany, Lithgow City Council, Liverpool City Council, Narrandera Shire Council, Orange City Council, Roads and Traffic Authority, City of Sydney, Walgett Shire Council, Waverly Council and Yass Valley Council.

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