The Gillard Labor Government has asked the Privileges and Members’ Interests Committee to develop a draft code of conduct for parliamentarians.

Today I moved a motion initiating a process to implement another major reform which will make a positive contribution to parliamentary standards as well as the standing of Parliament in the general community.

The motion asks the Privileges and Members’ Interests Committee, in consultation with the equivalent committee in the Senate, to develop a draft code and uniform processes for its implementation for both members and senators.

The Notice of Motion is attached below.

I move that:

1. The Privileges and Members’ Interests Committee (the committee):

a) develop a draft code of conduct for members of parliament; and

b) report back to the House by the end of the Autumn 2011 sitting.

2. In considering the matters in paragraph 1 above, the Committee give consideration to :

a) the operation of codes of conduct in other parliaments;

b) who could make a complaint in relation to breaches of a Code and how those complaints might be considered;

c) the role of the proposed Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner in upholding a Code; and

d) how a Code might be enforced and what sanctions could be available to the Parliament.

3. The Committee consult with the equivalent committee in the Senate on the text of a Code of Conduct with the aim of developing a uniform code, together with uniform processes for its implementation, for members and senators.