Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—The Statement of Ministerial Standards is an important framework which provides transparency and ensures public trust in our system. The Prime Minister has written to the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Dr Parkinson, seeking his guidance on the application of the relevant Statement of Ministerial Standards to former ministers in all previous governments, including specifically on matters in relation to recent statements by two former ministers in our government. As part of this, he has sought advice on actions that can be taken to ensure compliance with the code. Additionally, as part of this advice, he has asked the secretary about the application of the provisions of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 to the activities of former ministers and elected representatives. We will provide further advice to the Senate in due course.