Sessional Order (513) - Code of Conduct for Members adopted by the Legislative Assembly (5 May 1998)

Preamble to the Code of Conduct

The Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council have reached agreement on a Code of Conduct which is to apply to all Members of Parliament.

Members of Parliament recognise that they are in a unique position of being responsible to the electorate. The electorate is the final arbiter of the conduct of Members of Parliament and has the right to dismiss them from office at regular elections.

Members of Parliament accordingly acknowledge their responsibility to maintain the public trust placed in them by performing their duties with honesty and integrity, respecting the law and the institution of Parliament, and using their influence to advance the common good of the people of New South Wales.

THE CODE

1 Disclosure of conflict of interest

(a) Members of Parliament must take all reasonable steps to declare any conflict of interest between their private financial interests and decisions in which they participate in the execution of their office.

(b) This may be done through declaring their interests on the Register of Disclosures of the relevant House or through declaring their interest when speaking on the matter in the House or a Committee, or in any other public and appropriate manner.

(c) A conflict of interest does not exist where the member is only affected as a member of the public or a member of a broad class.

2 Bribery

Members must not promote any matter, vote on any bill or resolution, or ask any question in the Parliament or its Committees, in return for payment or any other personal financial benefit.

3 Gifts

(a) Members must declare all gifts and benefits received in connection with their official duties, in accordance with the requirements for the disclosure of pecuniary interests.

(b) Members must not accept gifts that may pose a conflict of interest or which might give the appearance of an attempt to corruptly influence the Member in the exercise of his or her duties.

(c) Members may accept political contributions in accordance with part 6 of the Election Funding Act 1981.

4 Use of public resources

Members must apply the public resources to which they are granted access according to any guidelines or rules about the use of those resources.

5 Use of confidential information

Members must not knowingly and improperly use official information which is not in the public domain, or information obtained in confidence in the course of their parliamentary duties, for the private benefit of themselves or others.

6 Duties as a Member of Parliament

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