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Senior parliamentarians from around the commonwealth have recommended that benchmarks be set for legislatures in the latest edition of The Parliamentarian. This reinforces Ross Robertson’s view that New Zealand needs to implement a Code of Ethics to govern Parliamentary conduct.

Ross Robertson points out that one of the concerns in Dame Margaret Bazley’s Police inquiry was the lack of a Code of Conduct, which is now one of the first points to be addressed by the New Zealand Police Department.

“Just as Dame Margaret has identified the need for a Code of Conduct, so too has the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association”, said Ross Robertson.

The CPA proposed benchmarks set out updated rules to ensure parliamentarians exhibit high standards of accountability, transparency and responsibility in all public and parliamentary matters. They detail rules for dealing with conflicts of interest, prevention of corrupt practices and disclosure of business interests. The benchmarks also set out rules that state there should be no restrictions on candidate eligibility or recruitment of staff based on religion, gender, ethnicity, race or disability.

A study group hosted by the Legisture of Bermuda developed the comprehensive set of benchmarks on behalf of the CPA and the World Bank Institute. They have the support of the United National Development Programme, the European Parliament and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.

The introduction of a similar Code of Ethics for New Zealand has long been advocated by Ross Robertson, MP for Manukau East. In 2006, he made his third attempt to persuade Parliament’s Standing Orders Committee to adopt a Code. While he is hopeful that the outcome will be successful, he is also considering legislation by way of a Private Member’s Bill.

“Parliamentarians are predominantly in the public eye and our actions, values, and conduct influence society’s perceptions of what acceptable standards of behaviour are,” said Ross Robertson.

He believes the proposed Code would help improve parliamentarians’ professional conduct and encourage them to set an example of leadership for others to follow by defining what they consider ethical behaviour to be, and then adhering to it.

“The introduction of a Code would not solve all of New Zealand’s woes. However, it would help bring about the change that is required to improve society’s negative perceptions of the parliamentary system.”

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