Hon. Kate Doust questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding a potential conflict of interest related to statements made about Market City and private sector investment, specifically why the Minister didn't disclose this conflict before making certain statements. The Minister denies the need to declare to Parliament, stating compliance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct by disclosing to Cabinet and excluding himself from discussions.

AnsweredQoN 1468Legislative Council
Asked
3 December 2015
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

PERTH
MARKET AUTHORITY — MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD —CONFLICT
OF INTEREST
1468. Hon KATE DOUST to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the
minister's statement to the house on Tuesday.
(1) Why did the minister not disclose his
conflict of interest before stating, ''Market City offers a significant
opportunity for private sector investment in WA's thriving fruit and
vegetable industry''?
(2) Why did the minister not disclose his
conflict of interest before stating, ''I believe that private sector
ownership of the market will allow it to raise capital to expand its
operations, such as further developing its cold storage facilities''?
(3) Why did the minister not disclose his
conflict of interest before stating, ''I believe that private ownership
of the market will help open up new export opportunities that currently are not
available and that will benefit our 500 fruit and vegetable growers''?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1)–(3) There is no need to declare
any potential conflict of interest to Parliament. The Ministerial Code of
Conduct requires that I disclose any potential conflicts to cabinet, which I
have done. In addition, I have excluded myself from cabinet discussion and any
other discussion about the sale of this asset, and referred all questions on
this matter to the Treasurer. Therefore, I am confident that I have followed
the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

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