Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I can confirm it was an item on the agenda. Yes, I can confirm that I was chairing the meeting. Yes, I can confirm that my chief of staff did not declare an interest. I was fully aware of the relationship between my chief of staff, APA and his previous role with Cadbury and the confectionery industry. As stated in my speech to the Senate last night, my chief of staff complies with proper internal standards under the Statement of Standards for Ministerial Staff, as those on the other side would have heard me advise the chamber yesterday. As I also said, in addition to complying with proper internal standards, his spouse gave undertakings that both she and the company would not (a) make representations to either myself or Minister Dutton; (b) make representations to the Department of Health; or (c) make representations on behalf of any clients to other ministers of the Commonwealth in relation to the health portfolio. My chief of staff took proper and appropriate steps to prevent any conflict of interest with the private business of APA and by withdrawing from any work from APA, and on that basis there was no conflict of interest at that meeting.