SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The Hon Dr Lockwood Smith

MEDIA STATEMENT
EMBARGOED 18 May 2010, 2.15PM

The Summary of annual returns as at 31 January 2010 for the New Zealand Parliament’s Register of Pecuniary Interests for members of Parliament was tabled in the House today.

The Speaker of the House, the Hon Dr Lockwood Smith, said that since 2005 Standing Orders have provided a system for members of Parliament to register their pecuniary interests, such as the assets, debts and gifts they may each have accumulated or received.

The register enhances transparency and accountability of members, rather than being a recital of wealth and indebtedness. It provides protection against arguments that a possible conflict might arise between a member’s public duty and private interests.

In declaring their personal interests, members are expected to follow the principle of “if in doubt, declare it.” This principle is contained in the Privileges Committee report on the 2008 inquiry into a question of privilege relating to compliance with a member’s obligations under the Standing Orders dealing with pecuniary interests. The committee also found that members must make an honest attempt to return all the pecuniary interests they hold and are obliged to turn their minds to the interests they have.

The Registrar, Dame Margaret Bazley, in her foreword to the 2010 Summary, has noted the high level of effort on the part of members to comply fully with the requirements and timeframes to declare their interests.

Dame Margaret also set out general advice to members who have an interest in jointly-held Māori land on how to declare their interest in this land or in a Māori land trust.

The Register of Pecuniary Interests covers the period from 1 February 2009 to the end of January 2010. Members were required to complete their returns by 1 March 2010.

ENDS

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