I wish to place a matter on the public record today in relation to a membership I’ve not previously declared. I currently have a supporters membership with the North Queensland Cowboys.
This membership entitles me to the membership of the Cowboys Leagues Club. In November 2019, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility provided notice of an investment decision to the Cowboys Rugby League Football Ltd. Investment decisions are a matter for the independent NAIF board. My membership at the leagues club provided no interest in the management of the football club. As the former minister for Northern Australia, I note that the NAIF Act only provides limited criteria for which the minister for northern Australia may reject a decision. None of these criteria were triggered by this decision. I have sought further advice about this failure to declare a membership. I do not believe at this stage it was a breach of the Statement of Ministerial Standards, and I’ve taken the first available opportunity to place this matter on the record. I’ll do the same in the Senate for the Senate registrar in due course.
