Labor challenges ruling on Bruce Billson’s job with franchise council

Labor has questioned the decision to clear ex-Liberal minister Bruce Billson of any breach of ministerial guidelines.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Bruce Billson. Picture: Gary Ramage

Labor has questioned the decision by the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Martin Parkinson, to clear former Liberal cabinet minister Bruce Billson of any breach of ministerial guidelines.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke yesterday questioned the decision of Dr Parkinson, as set out in a September 4 letter to Malcolm Turnbull, because it appeared he had relied solely on a personal assurance from Mr Billson.

“Can the Prime Minister verify ... that the investigation did not speak to any ministers, did not interview any current MPs and did not even review the public documents, which are tabled in this parliament?” Mr Burke asked.

“Can the Prime Minister confirm the investigation involved Mr Billson simply giving an assurance that he had complied with the code?”

The Prime Minister said he would take the question on notice and “respond in due course” when he received further advice from Dr Parkinson.

In August Mr Burke questioned the government about whether Mr Billson could have breached the ministerial standards when he took up work with the Franchise Council of Australia in March last year. Mr Billson was still an MP when he accepted the position on the board of the council, but did not disclose that he had started to receive a $75,000 salary — an omission he later conceded was a “discourtesy” to parliament.

His employment with the council has been referred to the standing committee of privileges and members’ interests, which is investigating whether he should be found in contempt of parliament.

Mr Billson has firmly denied allegations that he lobbied on behalf of the council to rally support against a key government industrial relations bill that amended the Fair Work Act to make franchisors responsible for underpayments by their franchisees.

The Protecting Vulnerable Workers Bill was introduced in March and passed both houses in September, with Mr Billson arguing the legislation was not foreshadowed until the 2016 election campaign when his time as an MP had expired.

Writing to the Prime Minister on September 4, Dr Parkinson said: “Mr Billson has assured me that he both understands and has complied with his post-ministerial obligations.”