29 August 2007

Prestigious international position offered to Ross Robertson

Manukau East MP and Assistant Speaker, Ross Robertson, has been invited to become a member of the Parliamentary Ethics Task Force established by GOPAC (Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption).

“The work I have been doing to establish a Code of Ethics for the New Zealand Parliament was a major reason for this appointment,” Ross Robertson said.

“While New Zealand is regarded as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, the fact that there is interest in the establishment of a Code of Ethics here means that our views are heeded in the drive to advance anti-corruption initiatives.”

In many parts of the world parliamentarians are seen as a source of corruption, not a solution to it.

This task force will examine ways in which parliamentarians, and in particular GOPAC members, can uphold high standards of conduct and foster a positive public image.

The taskforce will develop the basis of a draft code of conduct for parliamentarians.

The invitation came from John Williams MP the founder and Chair of GOPAC, and former Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Canada.

“I hope that this work will continue to raise awareness of the need for a Code of Ethics here in New Zealand,” Ross Robertson said.

“While relatively free from corruption, the New Zealand Parliament and parliamentarians are not held in high esteem by the general public. The adoption of a code of ethics is a logical step toward allaying concerns about parliamentary behaviour and consequently see more respect accorded to MPs and the institution,” Ross Robertson said.

ENDS

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