Questions without notice and ministers statements
Member conduct
John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:01): My question is to the Assistant Treasurer. Minister, section 8.4 of the ministerial code of conduct states that where a conflict or a potential conflict of interest could arise between a minister’s private interests and their public duty a minister should divest themselves of the conflict. Why didn’t the minister sell his Commonwealth Bank shares knowing he stood to profit?
Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:01): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Yesterday it was brought to my attention that a longstanding shareholding that I have declared to the Parliament at every reporting period since becoming an MP may have given rise to a perceived potential conflict of interest. For completeness, I can confirm that I was not a decision-maker in the awarding of the banking and financial services tender. This was an independent process undertaken by senior bureaucrats within the Department of Treasury and Finance, with a probity auditor involved at each step of the way. I noted the outcome of the tender once it had been determined by the Department of Treasury and Finance. Despite this, however, I do acknowledge that this was an error of judgement not to recognise and manage the potential. I unreservedly apologise for this oversight. For the avoidance of doubt, I have spoken with the Premier and advised him I will be placing my shareholdings in a blind trust.
John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): Section 8.5 of the ministerial code of conduct states:
… Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries will be obliged to take necessary action to prevent conflicts or potential conflicts of interest.
With the Commonwealth Bank making $1 million profit per hour, how is it fair that the minister has profited from his decision while Victorians suffer a cost-of-living crisis?
Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:03): Again, I just refer to my answer I provided to the substantive question, which is that I noted the outcome of an independent tender process run by the Department of Treasury and Finance.