Page 1418 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 3 May 2016
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the Assembly. In accordance with standing order 79, I have determined that the matter proposed by Mr Wall be submitted to the Assembly, namely:
The importance of adhering to the ministerial code of conduct.
MR WALL (Brindabella) (3.17): I am pleased to bring this matter of public importance to the Assembly today. The ministerial code of conduct underpins the integrity of each and every minister in this place who, in turn, represents the overall virtue of our parliament and our democracy. The integrity of ACT government ministers is being eroded on a daily basis through bad headline after bad headline, despite the Chief Minister’s insistence that this is a renewed government.
Mr Barr is now struggling, struggling to paint a picture of an engaged, energised and renewed ACT Labor in the wake of instances and reminders of a tired old Labor government that has become incredibly arrogant. It is increasingly apparent that these are the hallmarks of a government that has hung on to power for too long.
As we read through the ministerial code of conduct, it is clear. The code of conduct clearly articulates its intent and states that ministers must apply the power and privileges of their offices solely in pursuit of the best interests of the people of the ACT. As we look at this in detail, point 3 of the code of conduct outlines the ethical principles required of ministers. These principles include virtues such as integrity, honesty, diligence, transparency, accountability, fairness, respect, responsibility and respect for the law and the administration of justice.
Each one of these virtues has been arguably compromised by ministers of this tired old Labor government. If we look at integrity, the code has outlined it as follows:
Ministers must not use their position or information gained in the performance of their duties to gain a direct or indirect advantage for themselves or their families or acquaintances that would not be available to the general public.
How does the memorandum of understanding between the ACT Labor government and UnionsACT not constitute a direct contradiction to this principle? In stark contrast, the MOU actually poses a direct disadvantage for many in the general public. In fact, anyone who is not approved or endorsed by the union movement is effectively locked out of any procurement contracts in this town.
To add insult to injury, this has been the case for over 12 years, all under a cloak of secrecy. We can also argue that the integrity of the Labor ministers opposite is compromised by the advantage gained by their known acquaintances by the existence of this MOU. These known acquaintances, namely, the union movement and most particularly the CFMEU, are quite literally an extended arm of the ACT Labor Party and the Labor government.
This flies in the face of not only the ministerial code of conduct but the expectation of Canberrans across the board, both private citizens and those within the business community. Small and medium family businesses owned in the ACT have been sold a pup. They have been led to believe that the processes that they see at the front end of procurement are actually what they get.
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