❓ A Member of Parliament (Mr. Hyde) questions the Speaker regarding potential unauthorized changes to financial interest declarations lodged by other members, seeking details about the process and any discovered irregularities. The Speaker deflects, citing the Clerk's independence and confidentiality obligations.
AnsweredQoN 502Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will the Speaker advise if, since Tuesday, 18 October 2005, any members have sought to change their annual return involving financial interests lodged with the Clerk?
(2) If so, which members and on what dates?
(3) What was the process used by each of those members to change their declarations?
(4) Did the Clerk discover whether any changes had been made to a member’s annual return without notice or reference to the Clerk?
(5) Did the Clerk discover whether any changes were attempted to be made to a member’s annual return without notice or reference to the Clerk?
(2) If so, which members and on what dates?
(3) What was the process used by each of those members to change their declarations?
(4) Did the Clerk discover whether any changes had been made to a member’s annual return without notice or reference to the Clerk?
(5) Did the Clerk discover whether any changes were attempted to be made to a member’s annual return without notice or reference to the Clerk?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 November 2005
Response time
0 days
I requested a response from the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly which is as follows
The Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 is technically an Act under the administration of the Premier. That however does not preclude me from responding to your request for a response.
I am comfortable that the reason that the Clerk of the House was chosen as the Registrar was because of the independence of the office which is largely guaranteed by the provisions of section 35 of the Constitution Act 1889. In my duties for the House, I do not disclose any advice, communications or interactions with Members, whether in the House, in committees or in any other official manner. To do otherwise would severely compromise the performance of my duties.
Officers of the Assembly who interact directly with the Members, both in the House and in committees have been similarly instructed by me.
The Members of Parliament (Financial Interests) Act 1992 is technically an Act under the administration of the Premier. That however does not preclude me from responding to your request for a response.
I am comfortable that the reason that the Clerk of the House was chosen as the Registrar was because of the independence of the office which is largely guaranteed by the provisions of section 35 of the Constitution Act 1889. In my duties for the House, I do not disclose any advice, communications or interactions with Members, whether in the House, in committees or in any other official manner. To do otherwise would severely compromise the performance of my duties.
Officers of the Assembly who interact directly with the Members, both in the House and in committees have been similarly instructed by me.
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