Australia: PM bans relationship between ministers and staff
Thu Feb 15, 2018 12:07:pm World
4.4K By Sharon Ayomide
Australian Prime Minister has issued a ban on sex between ministers and staff on Thursday. This announcement followed the revelation and scandalous outcome of the affair between deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce with press secretary, Vikki Campion who is expecting his child.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who described the affair as a shocking error in judgement, denounced the affair which has strained the alliance between his Liberla Party and Joyce's National party.
Turnbull said the events has trigger a long overdue review of ministerial conduct rules and announced new principles similar to a ban on relationships between lawmakers and staffers adopted last week by U.S Congress.
"In 2018, it is not acceptable for a minister to have a sexual relationship with somebody who works for them. It is a very bad workplace practice. And everybody knows that no good comes of it. Ministers, regardless of whether they are married or single, must not engage in sexual relations with staff. Doing so will constitute a breach of the standards," he said
The Prime minister said Joyce would be taking a week's break and that the changes to ministerial conduct will take effect immediately.
Deputy Prime minister Barnaby Joyce, a Catholic, campaigned on family values and polls shows that support the small-town accountant turned politician has waned from 63% to 43%. He also faces pressure for not declaring the relation with the former press secretary and the fact he accepted a townhouse belonging to a wealthy friend, Greg Maguire.
Under ministerial rules, it is forbidden to ask for gifts. Joyce continually denies asking Maguire for the townhouse. "Mr Maguire approached me...he said, ‘You're living out of a suitcase, and this is basically something that I should try and help you with.' I took him up on the offer but I offered to pay for it."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who described the affair as a shocking error in judgement, denounced the affair which has strained the alliance between his Liberla Party and Joyce's National party.
Turnbull said the events has trigger a long overdue review of ministerial conduct rules and announced new principles similar to a ban on relationships between lawmakers and staffers adopted last week by U.S Congress.
"In 2018, it is not acceptable for a minister to have a sexual relationship with somebody who works for them. It is a very bad workplace practice. And everybody knows that no good comes of it. Ministers, regardless of whether they are married or single, must not engage in sexual relations with staff. Doing so will constitute a breach of the standards," he said
The Prime minister said Joyce would be taking a week's break and that the changes to ministerial conduct will take effect immediately.
Deputy Prime minister Barnaby Joyce, a Catholic, campaigned on family values and polls shows that support the small-town accountant turned politician has waned from 63% to 43%. He also faces pressure for not declaring the relation with the former press secretary and the fact he accepted a townhouse belonging to a wealthy friend, Greg Maguire.
Under ministerial rules, it is forbidden to ask for gifts. Joyce continually denies asking Maguire for the townhouse. "Mr Maguire approached me...he said, ‘You're living out of a suitcase, and this is basically something that I should try and help you with.' I took him up on the offer but I offered to pay for it."
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