❓ Question regarding a potential conflict of interest involving the Attorney General's company directorships and Wesfarmers shares during the sale of Westrail, and the removal of a requirement to relinquish directorships from the ministerial code.
AnsweredQoN 349Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the ministerial code that the Premier tabled last Thursday and note that the provision in the 1990 and 1994 codes that relates to ministers relinquishing company directorships has been deleted from the 1996 policy. (1) Will the minister explain why the Attorney General was allowed to continue in the directorships of at least two companies - Cadogen Estates (Australia) Pty Ltd and Chelsea Land Management and Investment Co (Australia) Pty Ltd? (2) Will the minister also explain why his directorships in those companies, which between them held shares worth around $40 000 in Wesfarmers, did not constitute a conflict of interest in the sale of Westrail? Mr COURT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
(1) Will the minister explain why the Attorney General was allowed to continue in the directorships of at least two companies - Cadogen Estates (Australia) Pty Ltd and Chelsea Land Management and Investment Co (Australia) Pty Ltd? (2) Will the minister also explain why his directorships in those companies, which between them held shares worth around $40 000 in Wesfarmers, did not constitute a conflict of interest in the sale of Westrail? Mr COURT replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
(2) Will the minister also explain why his directorships in those companies, which between them held shares worth around $40 000 in Wesfarmers, did not constitute a conflict of interest in the sale of Westrail? Mr COURT replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
Mr COURT replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
(1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
(1) Will the minister explain why the Attorney General was allowed to continue in the directorships of at least two companies - Cadogen Estates (Australia) Pty Ltd and Chelsea Land Management and Investment Co (Australia) Pty Ltd? (2) Will the minister also explain why his directorships in those companies, which between them held shares worth around $40 000 in Wesfarmers, did not constitute a conflict of interest in the sale of Westrail? Mr COURT replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
(2) Will the minister also explain why his directorships in those companies, which between them held shares worth around $40 000 in Wesfarmers, did not constitute a conflict of interest in the sale of Westrail? Mr COURT replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
Mr COURT replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
(1)-(2) The requirement for all members of Parliament, including ministers, to declare their pecuniary interests is outlined in the Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 - Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
Mr Ripper: Doesn’t the Premier have a rule for the accountability of ministers? Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
Mr COURT: Can I not give my answer? Members of the Opposition interject even when the answer is being given. Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
Together with other changes to the accountability framework, the Act superseded the Ministerial Code of Ethics, which had been developed in the early 1990s. As a consequence of these changes, there has been no requirement for ministers to relinquish company directorships. However, to ensure that potential conflicts of interest are raised in Cabinet, this Government specifically included a declaration requirement in the revised Cabinet Handbook that was tabled last week. The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
The procedures for the declaration of an interest apply when a minister becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. The Attorney General has advised that he did not consider there was a conflict of interest in this matter. He has also advised that the shares in the farming company are held as part of that business but are not central to it. The Attorney is a non-executive director with no beneficial interest in the company or the shares.
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