House debates Questions without Notice

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

Wednesday, 7 September 2022 House of Representatives

Julian Leeser

Julian Leeser Berowra, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians

2:00 pm

My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. The Code of Conduct for Ministers was published online on 8 July 2022. Had the minister taken any action to comply with the Prime Minister's code before the media reported her breach almost two months later?

Kristy McBain

Kristy McBain Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

I thank you for your question. I don't shy away from these issues at any stage. As I said yesterday and the day before, I initially transferred shares to my husband. When I found out that wasn't an appropriate divestment, I took all steps possible to transfer those shares. That is now done. At no stage was there a conflict of interest present. I take my disclosure requirements very seriously, which is why I disclosed them—a lesson perhaps those opposite could learn.