Why did the Cabinet Office not agree on a mechanism to monitor and verify that all ministerial communications and interactions by the Hon Chris Bishop were consistent with the agreed plan to allow him to make decisions on projects associated with the Melling Interchange but no longer advocate for those projects as a local Member of Parliament?

Answer

In my capacity as the Prime Minister, I am the responsible minister for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). The Cabinet Office supports Ministers in managing conflicts of interest, including ensuring that they have an agreed management plan. Further details of how the Cabinet Office provides that support are set out in paragraph 2.61 of the Cabinet Manual. Ministers themselves are responsible for ensuring that any conflicts of interest are addressed promptly (Cabinet Manual paragraph 2.62).