Staff working for ACT government ministers face the prospect of being held to a higher standard than their bosses, with a draft code of conduct suggesting they could have to disclose gifts they receive from friends and family.
Staffers received a consultation draft of a new code of conduct on Tuesday, which set out 30 rules over two pages that included a requirement to "declare all official gifts, personal gifts and hospitality".
But a government spokeswoman said the code was not intended to capture ordinary personal gifts exchanged between family members or friends in private.
"The focus is on gifts, benefits or hospitality that arise because of a person's official role, or that could give rise to a real, potential or perceived conflict of interest," the spokeswoman said.
"Transparency and accountability are important principles for anyone working in positions of public trust."
The proposed changes were seen by many as a response to the findings in the Integrity Commission's Operation Kingfisher investigation, that found a former education minister's chief of staff had engaged in serious corrupt conduct by currying favour with a union.
But a government spokeswoman said the chief minister's office requested the review and preliminary work had started in April 2026, before the Kingfisher findings were released.
"The review will ensure the framework reflects current expectations of integrity, accountability, workplace behaviour, the use of digital technologies and professional conduct," she said.
"A draft code is currently out for consultation. It builds on the existing code's core principles while providing greater clarity and guidance for ministerial staff."
The consultation draft code of conduct for staff included sweeping clauses covering gifts, reporting "suspected unlawful conduct" and a requirement to "promptly disclose any capability gaps".
The draft said ministerial staff must "declare all official gifts, personal gifts and hospitality to their employing Minister in writing, within a reasonable time and otherwise comply with any applicable gift policy".
The inclusion of official and personal gifts had left some to wonder whether they would need to fill out a form detailing the birthday and Christmas presents received from family.
Staff must also "divest and [sic] private interests related to the Minister's portfolio", and disclose any real, apparent or potential conflicts of interest to the minister whom they reported to.
The Canberra Times asked Chief Minister Andrew Barr's office whether the divestment clause would mean a staffer to the planning minister would be unable to own an investment property or whether an education minister minder would be barred from sitting on a P&C committee at a public school.
"The provision is not intended to prohibit community involvement. Like other conflict-of-interest requirements, it is intended to ensure actual, potential or perceived conflicts are identified, disclosed and appropriately managed," a government spokeswoman said.
"Whether a particular situation gives rise to a conflict will depend on the circumstances and the staff member's role and responsibilities."
The draft new code significantly expands on the rules set out in the shorter, existing code, which was adopted in 2015.
The 2015 code already says staff must not take bribes or inducements, misuse resources or unlawfully coerce members of the public or other government staff.
In July, Integrity Commissioner Michael Adams KC wrote in the Operation Kingfisher report that "the responsibilities of senior ministerial staff are managed in a particular environment, in which personal, political and bureaucratic [connections] intermix, which would (fairly) influence the way in which the code of conduct would be understood to apply".
"It may be that what appears to an outsider as inappropriate or not in accordance with the code of conduct may not reflect actual standards and practices," Mr Adams wrote.
Mr Adams referred the conduct of Treasurer Chris Steel's now chief of staff, David Ferguson, to the relevant minister for a review, after finding Mr Ferguson's decision not to act on another chief of staff's behaviour "could be regarded as inconsistent with his duty".
Mr Barr has said an independent reviewer would be appointed to examine Mr Ferguson's conduct.
