Premier admits Nahan broke ministerial code
Treasurer Mike Nahan breached the ministerial code of conduct by his failure to declare his shareholding in QBE when Cabinet made decisions about the company's role in WA's home indemnity insurance arrangements, Premier Colin Barnett has admitted.
But the Premier says the breach was minor and not a sackable offence.
Mr Barnett told 6PR's Morning Program on Friday that he had "no idea" that Dr Nahan held shares in QBE when Cabinet was discussing the home indemnity insurance matters.
"I would have simply recorded that in the minutes of the meeting, I wouldn't have required him to leave the room because there was no effective or real conflict in my view," Mr Barnett said.
The Premier said Dr Nahan's breach was "not of substance".
WA Treasurer Mike Nahan. Picture: Lincoln Baker/The West Australian
"But nevertheless, I made it clear to Mike, you made an error of judgment, you should have made sure we noted your share ownership when that decision was made," Mr Barnett said.
"It was such a minor issue, it was a decision not to help QBE, but to help homeowners. Technically and appropriate Mike should have drawn to my attention that he had QBE shares ... it did not benefit QBE as such.
"It shouldn't have happened. Mike knows that. It was a mistake. It probably didn't occur to him at the time."
WA Premier Colin Barnett. Picture: Steve Ferrier/The West Australian
An answer to a question on notice in the Upper House late on Thursday reveals that Cabinet deliberated on the home indemnity insurance issue on four occasions since Dr Nahan joined the ministry in March 2013.
QBE has received $14.3 million in administration payments from the Government and $951,000 for payouts on insurance claims since a deal was struck with in November 2013 for the Government to effectively underwrite QBE's risk after the insurer decided it wanted to exit the market.
