31Commissioner—must avoid conflict of interest

31 Commissioner—must avoid conflict of interest (1) The commissioner must not— (a) have paid employment that is inconsistent with the commissioner’s functions; or (b) engage in any unpaid activity that is inconsistent with the commissioner’s functions. (2) If the commissioner has a financial or other personal interest that conflicts or may conflict, or may be perceived to conflict with the commissioner’s functions (a conflict of interest), the commissioner must disclose, in writing, the nature of the interest and the conflict or potential conflict to— (a) the Speaker; and (b) the inspector. Note The commissioner must disclose a conflict of interest as soon as possible (3) The commissioner must not take any part in considering a matter in relation to which the conflict of interest has arisen except— (a) with the written approval of the Speaker; and (b) in accordance with any conditions included in the Speaker’s approval. (4) This section does not apply in relation to a conflict of interest while the commissioner remains unaware of the conflict of interest, but in any proceeding against the commissioner, the commissioner has the burden of proving that the commissioner was not, at the material time, aware of the conflict of interest.