Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move amendments to business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1, moved by Senator Patrick.

Leave granted.

I move the amendments which have been circulated in the chamber in my name:

After subparagraph (1)(h), add:

(i) that current and previous Prime Minister's Statements of Ministerial Standards clearly provide that Ministers must act with honesty and integrity in all their activities. In particular, Ministers must:

  (i) make arrangements to avoid conflicts arising from their private interests, also having regard to interests held by family members (paragraphs 2.9 and 2.17), and

  (ii) not use public office for private purposes (paragraph 2.2);

(j) that on 19 June 2019, the Guardian reported that, while a company part-owned by Angus Taylor MP and his brother was under investigation by the Department of the Environment for alleged unlawful clearing of a critically endangered grassland species, Minister Taylor met with Department of the Environment staff. The Guardian further reported on 27 June 2019 that an investigator from the office responsible for investigating the clearing allegations was present at a meeting;

(k) that on 20 June 2019, the Guardian reported that former Minister for the Environment, Josh Frydenberg, was approached by Angus Taylor in relation to the listing of the grassland species. According to the report, Mr Frydenberg subsequently sought advice about his powers to amend the critically endangered listing; and

(l) that these meetings raise serious questions about whether such conduct complies with the Ministerial Standards.

After subparagraph (2)(a), insert:

(aa) extending the post-employment period during which former Ministers are prevented from lobbying, advocating or other activities under paragraph 2.25 of the Ministerial Standards to 5 years;

(ab) enforcement of the Ministerial Standards including, but not limited to:

  (i) actions taken in response to allegations of improper conduct or other non-compliance with the Ministerial Standards,

  (ii) investigation of allegations of improper conduct or other non-compliance with the Ministerial Standards by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,

  (iii) investigation of allegations of misconduct or other non-compliance with the Ministerial Standards by an independent authority,

  (iv) penalties for non-compliance with the Ministerial Standards, and

  (v) any policies developed to guide implementation of the Ministerial Standards;

(ac) appointment of a Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner tasked with enforcing compliance with the Ministerial Standards;