To inquire into the adoption of a Code of Conduct for all Members of Parliament, and in doing so consider -
(a) a Code of Conduct for all Members of Parliament, addressing -
(i) the integrity of Parliament;
(ii) the primacy of the public interest over the furthering of private interests;
(iii) disclosure of interest;
(iv) conflict of interest;
(v) independence of action (including bribery, gifts and personal benefits, sponsored travel/accommodation, paid advocacy);
(vi) use of entitlements and public resources;
(vii) honesty to Parliament and the public;
(viii) proper relations with Ministers and the public service;
(ix) confidentiality of information;
(x) appropriate use of information and inside information;
(xi) Government contracts; and
(xii) duties as a Member of Parliament;
(b) a procedure for enforcement of the Code by Parliament that ensures recognition of the responsibility of each House of Parliament for its own affairs and the supremacy of the institution of Parliament in the Westminster system, effective investigation and adjudication of complaints, is impartially administered and protects members who are the subject of an allegation (including trivial and vexatious complaints) in a similar way to a court or professional disciplinary body;
(c) an appropriate method by which Parliament should adopt a Code (e.g. by legislation, resolution, Standing Order or any other method), taking into consideration how best to engender knowledge and understanding of it by the public as well as by Members;
(d) the relationship between the Code and statutory requirements for disclosure of Members’ financial interests;
(e) whether a code of conduct should be adopted for officers of the Parliament; and
(f) an introductory and continuing ethical and constitutional education program for Members, having regard to -
(i) the discussion paper and draft Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament prepared by the Legislative Review Committee in 1996;
(ii) standards of conduct required of public servants by the Public Sector Management Act 1995;
(iii) the way other jurisdictions (including the UK and Canada) have developed - codes of conduct and draft codes of conduct for Members of Parliament, enforcement procedures, advisory services for Members, introductory and continuing legal education programs and informing the public about the code and its enforcement; and
(iv) written submissions from members of