Jason Clare (Blaxland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is again to the Prime Minister. I refer to the bid by the Chinese company Landbridge to operate the port of Darwin. I also refer to the fact that, subsequently, Landbridge gave former minister for trade Andrew Robb a part-time position, paying $880,000 a year. Has the Prime Minister asked his department to investigate whether there is a link between these two events, and has he asked them to investigate whether there has been any breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have discussed these matters with the secretary of my department, Dr Parkinson, and he confirmed that in a letter to me, dated today, which reads: 'As you know, I have twice discussed with Mr Andrew Robb the obligations placed on former ministers by the Statement of Ministerial Standards. On both occasions, 28 February and 31 May 2017, Mr Robb has assured me he fully understands the obligations of the statement. He has also assured me he has complied with the statement, in particular paragraph 2.24, in terms of his post-cabinet and post-parliament activities and has reiterated that commitment in writing on 1 June 2017.' I will table that letter.