Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Member conduct

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): My question is to the Assistant Treasurer. Under the Financial Management Act 1994 government departments are required to seek the Assistant Treasurer’s approval to open and maintain bank accounts. How is it appropriate that the Assistant Treasurer continues to hold this role while he owns shares in the Commonwealth Bank?

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:25): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I have always acted appropriately. I have always declared my interests. I have acknowledged that I committed an error of judgement. I indicated that I would establish a blind trust. The blind trust has been established. My register of members interests entry has been updated and been provided to the Clerk of the Parliaments as of Friday afternoon. I am happy for that register to be made available.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): It is now clear that the Assistant Treasurer signed off on government bank accounts with a bank that he owns shares in.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will be removed from the chamber without warning.

John PESUTTO: It is now clear that the Assistant Treasurer signed off on government bank accounts with a bank that he owns shares in – a direct conflict of interest. How can the minister continue to sit around the cabinet table?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members to my right will come to order.

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:27): It probably sounded better this morning when you were practising in front of the mirror.

The SPEAKER: Order! Through the Chair.

Danny PEARSON: I refer the Leader of the Opposition to my previous answer.