Pyne defends new job as Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick pushes for Senate inquiry
Former defence minister Christopher Pyne has defended his new defence-focused gig at EY — as Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick pushes for an inquiry into the compliance of former Ministers with the post-ministerial employment rules.
SA News
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Former defence minister Christopher Pyne has hit back at allegations his new job breaches ministerial standards.
It comes as Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick on Sunday announced he will push for a Senate Committee inquiry into the compliance of former Ministers with the post-ministerial employment rules.
Mr Pyne, who quit politics before the election after 26 years in parliament, caused a stir last week after it was announced he had been appointed as a defence consultant for professional services firm Ernst & Young.
Post-ministerial employment rules, established by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, require cabinet members wait 18 months before taking roles that could bring them in contact with government and matters they dealt with in their former roles.
But despite criticism from the Opposition and former colleague Liberal Senator Eric Abetz, Mr Pyne says no one has been able to point to any instance of a breach of the Code.
“I know my responsibilities under the Code and I will abide by them,” Mr Pyne said in a statement.
“I have not taken personal advantage of information I received as a Minister in the Defence portfolio that is not otherwise publicly available.”
Mr Pyne said providing “occasional high-level strategic advice” did not require lobbying, advocating or undertaking any activity back into government — all which he had not done.
He said 26 years experience of the parliament and politics, including in the health, ageing, education, industry innovation and science portfolios, gave him knowledge that was valuable in the post-political world.
“Having that knowledge does not breach the Code,” Mr Pyne said.
“I intend to ensure that anyone I provide advice to has rigorous processes and procedures in place to ensure I am not put in a position where the Ministerial Code of Conduct might be breached.”
But Senator Patrick, who remains unconvinced, said Mr Pyne’s new job did not pass the pub test and has called on parties to support a Senate Committee to inquire into the compliance of former Ministers with the ministerial standards.
He said an inquiry would make recommendations to ensure that any integrity issues relating to post-ministerial employment and lobbying/advisory activities by former Ministers was transparent.
“Mr Pyne cannot unknow what he knows from nearly three years’ service at the top of the Defence portfolio,” Senator Patrick said.
“His acceptance of his new job with EY is unquestionably a breach of the spirit, and indeed the letter, of the Prime Minister’s standards.
“The question is now what is the Prime Minister going to do about it.”
Labor Senator Penny Wong, who last week said Mr Pyne’s new job was “a clear breach of the ministerial standards”, said Labor was considering support for the proposed inquiry.
“When even Mr Pyne’s own party colleagues raise concerns about his actions, as we saw with Senator Abetz, its clear Mr Morrison needs to act to enforce his own code of conduct,” Senator Wong said.
However Senator Abetz, who believes there was “an issue” with Mr Pyne’s new employment said: “I remain to be convinced for such an inquiry but happy to discuss the matter with Senator Patrick”.
A spokesman for One Nation said its Senators were “very happy to meet and discuss this” when parliament resumes this week.