Only a thorough and
independent inquiry into former Sports Minister Jane Howlett’s handling of a
conflict of interest will clear
up Premier Peter Gutwein’s Cabinet chaos.
Labor Leader Rebecca White
said Peter Gutwein had refused
to say whether the former Minister for Sport and Recreation had declared a
conflict of interest during Cabinet deliberations.
“There
are real questions now about whether the Ministerial Code of Conduct is worth
the paper it is written on,” Ms White said.
“Peter Gutwein’s don’t ask,
don’t tell culture is alive and thriving and calls into question the integrity
of the government he leads.
“The Premier refused to say if
Ms Howlett had followed the provisions of the Ministerial Code of Conduct which
is clear that conflicts must be declared.
“The Code is also clear that
other Ministers must also declare any conflicts they observe:
Recognising the convention of collective
responsibility for Government decisions, Ministers are obliged to report any
Code non-compliance by themselves or by another Minister to the Premier, or in
the case of the Premier to Cabinet.
“There is a cloud over the integrity of this government and the only way for this matter to be cleared up is for an independent investigation to be launched.”
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
