Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Member conduct

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): My question is to the Assistant Treasurer. This morning in response to a media question about approvals that the Assistant Treasurer provided for three government bank accounts that were opened with the Commonwealth Bank, the Assistant Treasurer said, ‘I will need to get back to you on that one. I don’t think – yeah, I need to get back to you on that one.’ Can the minister now inform Victorians of the answer?

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:16): Three accounts were opened. They were administrative accounts opened on behalf of the Department of Treasury and Finance.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): Can the minister confirm that he has only approved new government bank accounts with the Commonwealth Bank since the new banking and financial services state purchase contract has been in place?

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:17): I have always acted appropriately. I have always declared my interests. I approved three administrative accounts on behalf of the Department of Treasury and Finance.