Code of conduct - PM open minded

Helen Clark

Prime Minister Helen Clark says she will consider proposals for a code of conduct for MPs as police investigate a complaint against one of her MPs.

A nine-month investigation by a Queen's Counsel into Taito Phillip Field's business dealings with people seeking immigration permits cleared him of a conflict of interest as a minister but raised questions about his judgment as an MP.

Police are now investigating a complaint from Wanganui resident Frank Respinger that Mr Field broke the law when prospective immigrants did work on his houses.

Mr Respinger has made a number of complaints to police about politicians' behaviour in the past.

Under the Crimes Act it is illegal for a minister or an MP to accept a bribe (including money and any direct benefit) to do their job.

Ministers can be jailed for up to 14 years and MPs for seven. Mr Field says he has done nothing illegal.

The MP is also the subject of National Party complaints to the Labour Department, alleging he breached the Minimum Wage Act by underpaying Thai immigrants who worked on his properties.

Speaker Margaret Wilson ruled last week that the conduct of an MP outside Parliament was not a matter that should be referred to the privileges committee.

But she said MPs might wish to consider a code of conduct.

Labour MP Ross Robertson currently has the standing orders select committee considering a proposed code.

Mr Robertson's last two attempts to get Parliament to adopt a code have been rejected by his fellow MPs.

Helen Clark said Labour MPs had not discussed the matter for some years but would look at it when the standing orders select committee reported back.

"I have a totally open mind on it," she said.

It was "conceivable" that cases such as Mr Field's could in the future come in for parliamentary scrutiny if a code of conduct was put in place.

- NZPA