❓ Question regarding a potential conflict of interest for the Minister for Planning concerning a decision related to Waratah Avenue, Dalkeith, given the Minister owns property there. The Premier defends the Minister, stating he declared the property and sought advice from the Cabinet Secretary.
AnsweredQoN 105Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MINISTER
FOR PLANNING — CONFLICT OF INTEREST — WARATAH AVENUE, DALKEITH
105. Mr J.N. HYDE to the Premier:
I refer to the Minister for Planning and the Premier's
Ministerial Code of Conduct from which I quote —
Any conflict between a Minister's
private interest and their public duty which arises must be resolved promptly
in favour of the public interest. The same is as true for a perceived conflict
of interest as an actual conflict.
(1) Is the
Premier satisfied that the minister met the conditions of the Ministerial Code
of Conduct in relation to an actual or perceived conflict of interest in the
minister's Waratah Avenue decision?
(2) Has the
Premier discussed this matter with the minister to advise him of the
requirements of the code that he resolve this matter ''promptly in
favour of the public interest''.
(3) Is there
now a standard in the Premier's government that allows ministers to
make decisions that have a direct and potentially beneficial financial impact
on them personally?
FOR PLANNING — CONFLICT OF INTEREST — WARATAH AVENUE, DALKEITH
105. Mr J.N. HYDE to the Premier:
I refer to the Minister for Planning and the Premier's
Ministerial Code of Conduct from which I quote —
Any conflict between a Minister's
private interest and their public duty which arises must be resolved promptly
in favour of the public interest. The same is as true for a perceived conflict
of interest as an actual conflict.
(1) Is the
Premier satisfied that the minister met the conditions of the Ministerial Code
of Conduct in relation to an actual or perceived conflict of interest in the
minister's Waratah Avenue decision?
(2) Has the
Premier discussed this matter with the minister to advise him of the
requirements of the code that he resolve this matter ''promptly in
favour of the public interest''.
(3) Is there
now a standard in the Premier's government that allows ministers to
make decisions that have a direct and potentially beneficial financial impact
on them personally?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
I became aware that the minister owned a property in Waratah Avenue when the
article appeared on the front page of The
Post newspaper in the western suburbs probably a weekend ago. The minister
has made very clear that the ownership of that property, which preceded this
decision by quite some time, had been declared. He also made it clear in his
response that he did not in any way consider there was a conflict of interest.
The opposition has raised the issue, as it is entitled to do. Therefore, the
minister has done the appropriate thing and written to the secretary of cabinet,
who has responsibility for administering the code to see whether there was any
conflict or perceived conflict. I do not think there is.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : Before the event or after?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I do not think there is, and the minister has stated —
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Midland!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Sorry, sorry.
Mr M. McGowan : He
should have handed the decision to another minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, I am trying to answer the question.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The minister did not see any conflict. He had declared the property; it was
known to the Planning Commission, the people dealing with the issue.
Mr M. McGowan : But
there is a conflict.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It was known to the Department of Planning. He acted simply on the advice of
the Planning Commission.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, I am trying to answer the question.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
He declared the property. He got advice on a proposal that I do not think would
have any impact on him financially at all; if it did, it would be negative. But
I do not think there will be any impact.
Mr M. McGowan :
That is rubbish.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Sorry; it is not rubbish; it is not rubbish. Because the opposition raised the
matter —
Mr J.N. Hyde : When
did he write?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Because the opposition raised it, the minister has, quite properly, now written
to the Cabinet Secretary saying, ''This matter has been raised; do you
think there is anything amiss in the sense of how it was handled?'' I do
not think the minister has done anything wrong at all, but it will now be
considered because the opposition has raised it.
Mr M. McGowan interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Is it not a bit rich? Look opposite. Those opposite were the government that
had five ministers sacked or forced to resign because of inquiries by the
Corruption and Crime Commission—five ministers!
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
And the Leader of the Opposition was in cabinet while those ministers were in
that situation. Yes; the opposition has raised an issue by a person who I would
argue is the most ethical and most honest member of this Parliament. He has
taken the issue and referred it to where it should be referred. The one thing
we will never cop on this side is a lecture about morality and propriety from
the Labor Party.
I became aware that the minister owned a property in Waratah Avenue when the
article appeared on the front page of The
Post newspaper in the western suburbs probably a weekend ago. The minister
has made very clear that the ownership of that property, which preceded this
decision by quite some time, had been declared. He also made it clear in his
response that he did not in any way consider there was a conflict of interest.
The opposition has raised the issue, as it is entitled to do. Therefore, the
minister has done the appropriate thing and written to the secretary of cabinet,
who has responsibility for administering the code to see whether there was any
conflict or perceived conflict. I do not think there is.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : Before the event or after?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I do not think there is, and the minister has stated —
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Midland!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Sorry, sorry.
Mr M. McGowan : He
should have handed the decision to another minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, I am trying to answer the question.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The minister did not see any conflict. He had declared the property; it was
known to the Planning Commission, the people dealing with the issue.
Mr M. McGowan : But
there is a conflict.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It was known to the Department of Planning. He acted simply on the advice of
the Planning Commission.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, I am trying to answer the question.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
He declared the property. He got advice on a proposal that I do not think would
have any impact on him financially at all; if it did, it would be negative. But
I do not think there will be any impact.
Mr M. McGowan :
That is rubbish.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Sorry; it is not rubbish; it is not rubbish. Because the opposition raised the
matter —
Mr J.N. Hyde : When
did he write?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Because the opposition raised it, the minister has, quite properly, now written
to the Cabinet Secretary saying, ''This matter has been raised; do you
think there is anything amiss in the sense of how it was handled?'' I do
not think the minister has done anything wrong at all, but it will now be
considered because the opposition has raised it.
Mr M. McGowan interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Is it not a bit rich? Look opposite. Those opposite were the government that
had five ministers sacked or forced to resign because of inquiries by the
Corruption and Crime Commission—five ministers!
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
And the Leader of the Opposition was in cabinet while those ministers were in
that situation. Yes; the opposition has raised an issue by a person who I would
argue is the most ethical and most honest member of this Parliament. He has
taken the issue and referred it to where it should be referred. The one thing
we will never cop on this side is a lecture about morality and propriety from
the Labor Party.
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