Conflict of interest declarations

Question

Senator DAVID POCOCK: How does it work if the chancellor knows someone who the committee that they chair suggests should be on council? Is there a disclosure of a conflict of interest or a relationship? Mr Metcalfe: Yes, it's a good question-because I, of course, have come through that process. I had previously been on the audit committee. I'm not exactly sure how my name was even put forward to council. I had a phone call saying, 'Would you be interested?' and I said: 'Of course. I'd love to have the opportunity to serve.' I should have done my due diligence a bit better, because that was the week that witnesses appeared before the committee. But, on a serious note, I am unclear-and I can check and see if we can provide more information on notice-as to whether the nominations committee in the past has publicly sought expressions of interest or whether it has more been people who were known and whatever. We will check on what might have happened in the past. Certainly, in being appointed to council, I did not apply for, or express interest in, a vacancy; I was contacted. Senator DAVID POCOCK: As far as you are aware, was former council member Mr Wayne Martin AC, KC known to the former chancellor prior to his appointment to council? Mr Metcalfe: I can only assume so, in that they're both Western Australians and both have obviously occupied very senior positions, as a former foreign minister and a former chief justice. Senator DAVID POCOCK: Could you take on notice the process for declaring conflicts of interest-many concerns have been raised with me by Canberrans, where you essentially have non-elected members being recommended by the chancellor onto the council over many years-and the potential problems that could cause to governance. That would be great to know. Mr Metcalfe: Yes, we'll take that on notice.

Answer

Please see the attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• ASQ26-0210.pdf (opens in a new tab)