8. Hon PETE HODGSON (Labour—Dunedin North) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
On how many occasions has he as Prime Minister dealt with actual or perceived conflicts of interest involving himself since the election?
Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) Link to this
I cannot recall exactly on how many occasions I have considered actual or perceived conflicts of interest matters involving me, but I do know that there have been at least two.
Does he believe that he has avoided, or might avoid, conflicts of interest issues arising because he has taken the precaution of putting his relevant domestic assets into a blind trust?
Will he recommend to all his Cabinet Ministers that they establish a blind trust for relevant assets so as to reduce the growing list of conflicted Ministers who have come to public attention for real or perceived conflict of interest issues, such as Dr Worth, the Hon Dr Nick Smith, the Hon Chris Finlayson, or himself with Jackson Mining and Tranz Rail?
There are two aspects. Firstly, I refute that the members listed have conflicts of interest; just because that member says they have one does not mean they do have one. Secondly, it is up to individual Ministers to seek advice from the Cabinet Office on that matter.
Has the Cabinet Office confirmed that his blind trust has been established in a manner that means he cannot know what he owns from one day to the next, and is, therefore, fully compliant with the relevant sections of the Cabinet Manual; if so, why will he not require that other Ministers do the same?