Parliamentary Code of Conduct

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:20): Supplementary: I did ask at the end of the question whether the code of conduct will need to be enshrined in legislation.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (15:20): Again, I am not here to give legal advice, but I just mention to the member that, as the member would well know, we had a statement of principles which has been a guiding document for the conduct of members of parliament adopted by both houses of parliament. I sat on the committee, in fact, some 17 or so years ago with the Hon. Michael Atkinson I recall, and others, for the development of that statement of principles. They have been accepted as a motion of both houses of parliament for our consideration.

The codes of conduct are not always in legislative form for other professions and entities, but that again will be a matter for consideration of the committee as to how they wish to have it recorded and/or endorsed if it's the will of the parliament to do so.