By FRANCESCA MOLD
Rules requiring Government ministers to publicly list their assets and financial interests will be extended to include all MPs.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said extending the register of interests would strengthen public trust and confidence in the integrity of Parliament.
"We think it's in the interests of openness and
transparency."
She said the new register for all MPs would bring New Zealand into line with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland.
Act leader Richard Prebble said he was concerned the Government had not consulted other parties about the new register. Changes to Standing Orders were usually done by consensus, not by a "decree".
"If the Government was sincere, all the parties would have been consulted and we would have been informed what the problem is," he said.
Helen Clark said other parties would be consulted to see if Standing Orders could be changed, otherwise the register could be created through legislation.
Leader of the House Michael Cullen said the register would highlight possible conflicts of interest rather than become a list of MPs' wealth.
The monetary value of interests would not be listed.
The Prime Minister said the only sanction against MPs who failed to comply with the register rules was public opinion.
The proposed register would require MPs to list:
* Paid directorships or employment outside Parliament.
* Interests in businesses.
* Ownership of company shares or beneficial interest in a trust (excluding registered superannuation schemes).
* Ownership of property.
* Debts and mortgages.
* The nature of liabilities and the identity of creditors, including personal loans and overdrafts.
MPs would also have to reveal their overseas travel and accommodation if they did not pay for it themselves, if it was not a taxpayer-funded trip or paid for by an overseas Government.
They would have to list gifts received as an MP with a value of more than $500, including donations and payments for outside activities.
The MPs will have to provide a list of their interests after the election and then by December 31 each year.
The new register would come into effect after the next general election.
