Human Services minister Nat Cook accused of breaching ministerial code of conduct after politically-charged email sent to department staff

State Minister Nat Cook has been accused of breaching the code of conduct by sending a “political” email to 2600 public servants. Here’s who she meant to send it to.

State Human Services Minister Nat Cook has been accused of breaching the ministerial code of conduct after she sent a politically-charged email to thousands of public servants.

In an email newsletter to more than 2600 Department for Human Services staff earlier this month, Ms Cook referred to “the landslide of support that carried the Malinauskas Labor team to a thumping victory” and “the resounding defeat of the Morrison Liberal Government”.

Hours later, a “revised” email was sent out, claiming the message from Ms Cook was sent “in error” and was instead intended as an update for those living in her electorate.

Human Services Minister Nat Cook. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Morgan Sette

“It was not appropriate to send to public sector staff as it contained political messaging,” the second email said.

The fledgling opposition has repeatedly targeted Ms Cook throughout several question times, perceiving her to be a weak link within the Malinauskas ministry.

Opposition social and community housing spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said the email was “a clear abuse of power”.

“This loose behaviour from Nat Cook does not meet the standards expected of a minister and Peter Malinauskas must urgently investigate the matter,” she said.

“An apology email to staff isn’t good enough, Nat Cook should know that material like this should never have been sent to public sector employees in the first place.

Opposition social and community housing spokeswoman Michelle Lensink. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“While the revised email said the original newsletter was sent in error and was intended as an update for those living in Nat Cook’s electorate, there was no references to local issues or her being the local MP.

“In fact, she signed off as minister and used the department’s logo at the end of her email.”

Under questing in parliament, Ms Cook maintained the message was sent out following an error on the part of a “very junior staff person”.

“This group of people work very, very hard and it was an error,” she said.

She refused to say whether the staff member was a political appointment or a public servant.

Section six of the ministerial code of conduct states “ministers and ministerial staff must use all reasonable endeavours to avoid, and to avoid giving any public appearance of, using government departmental offices for private purposes or party political purposes”.