Fed: Oly hospitality row highlights need for ethics counsellors

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2000
Fed: Oly hospitality row highlights need for ethics counsellors

An ethics expert says the row over politicians accepting Olympic hospitality packages
has highlighted the need for ethics counsellors to be appointed to Australian parliaments.

Professor NOEL PRESTON says without independent ethical advice, it's too easy for politicians
to rationalise accepting the offers, worth up to $10,000, to suit their circumstances.

Communications giant Telstra has been accused of trying to curry favour with its opponents
by offering free Olympic tickets and accommodation.

Some of the telecommunications company's biggest critics, such as federal independent
MP PETER ANDREN, NSW Country Labor's TONY KELLY and Queensland National DE-ANNE KELLY
have all rejected Telstra's overtures.

Other politicians have confirmed they'd accepted similar packages by News Ltd and Fairfax.

Prof. PRESTON says rather than conduct government business on the terms of the hospitality
of multi-national corporations, public trust is served by government business being conducted
at government expense.

AAP RTV jhm/sc/jn d

KEYWORD: HOSPITALITY ETHICS (BRISBANE)

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