[Greens-Media] Govt votes against cooling off period for ex-Ministers

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
27 September 2006


Govt votes against cooling off period for ex-Ministers

NSW government MPs and the conservative crossbench MPs combined forces in the Upper House tonight to block a Greens proposal that would have set up plans for a cooling off period for ex-Ministers, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said.

“The Greens proposal would have required the government to legislate for a clear cooling off period for ex-Ministers leaving to take up private sector jobs relating to their portfolio areas,” Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said. 

“The government has adopted a bankrupt model with no cooling off period and no penalties. It ignored almost all the recommendations of a June 2004 ICAC report. 

“Premier Iemma’s proposed guidelines will do nothing to combat the problem of ex-Ministers taking inappropriate advantage of information and contacts when they walk into private sector jobs.

“Once again we see this government misusing the office of the Parliamentary Ethics Adviser to bring forward a weak meaningless model. The government’s proposal allows an ex-Minister to seek advice if they wish. This form of self regulation is set up to fail. 

“The government are loath to properly regulate jobs for ex-Ministers because they too would like to share in the honey pot at some time in the future.

“The NSW government is swimming against the tide with its feeble guidelines. In the US legislation places a two year ban on Ministers working in areas covering former portfolio responsibilities. A breach attracts imprisonment, a fine or both.  

“The potential for conflict of interest is significant when ex-Ministers leave for jobs with big business. Bob Carr, Nick Greiner, Richard Face, Craig Knowles all made an embarrassingly quick and lucrative exit to the private sector. 

“The Greens believe we need to bolster confidence in democracy in NSW. 

“Legislation rather than self-regulation is the best way to manage this important area. The Greens will continue to campaign for a cooling off period for ex-Ministers,” Ms Rhiannon said. 

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