Hon Deputy Speaker, the response is that the Department of Public Service and Administration is in the process of taking the draft Public Service integrity management framework to Cabinet. The framework proposes to extend the disclosure of financial interests to all employees in the Public Service. The current regulatory framework prohibits any employee who has a conflict of interest from participating in any decision-making process.
Chapter 2, C.4.6 of the Public Service Regulations stipulates that an employee will recuse herself or himself from any official action or decision-making process that may result in improper personal gain, and that this should be properly declared by the employee. This provision has crystallised into a practice in the Public Service. This practice is observed in any recruitment or procurement process. Failure to comply with this provision is deemed misconduct.
The Minister for the Public Service and Administration does not have powers to regulate rules and codes of conduct for public office bearers.