Question regarding the Minister for Transport's financial interests in Metier Asia Property Group, specifically concerning the completion of divestment and potential conflicts of interest. The Premier's response indicates compliance with divestment requests and adherence to the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

AnsweredQoN 328Legislative Council
Asked
6 April 2016
Portfolio
Leader of the House representing the Premier

QuestionView source ↗

MINISTER
FOR TRANSPORT — FINANCIAL INTERESTS
328. Hon SUE ELLERY to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's answer
to question without notice 206 of 17 March 2016 concerning the financial
interests of the Minister for Transport and his staff member in relation to
Metier Asia Property Group.
(1) What is the
nature of the ''business transaction'' required for the divestment
to be complete and what is the time frame for completion?
(2) Why has the
situation whereby the minister must continue to remain alert ''to any
potential conflict of interest'' in relation to this financial interest
been allowed to continue?
(3) Has the
Premier or cabinet secretary formally directed the minister to finalise
whatever business transaction is required to complete the divestment; and, if
not, why not?
(4) If yes to (3), why then does an
issue in relation to this financial interest remain?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) As advised in the response to question without
notice 206 answered on 17 March 2016, the shares were sold by the minister and
his staff in March 2015 and they remain in escrow pending the completion of the
transaction. The cabinet secretary has advised the minister that the minister
has complied with a request to divest himself of this interest to the extent
that he can, noting the aforementioned and that otherwise he has kept the
cabinet secretary informed. In accordance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct,
all ministers must remain alert to any potential or perceived conflict of
interest with their portfolio.

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