44Disclosure of interests

44 Disclosure of interests

(1) The Chairperson shall give written notice to the Minister of all direct and indirect pecuniary interests that the Chairperson has or acquires in a business carried on in Australia or in a body corporate carrying on any such business. (2) Where the Chairperson has or acquires an interest, pecuniary or otherwise, that could conflict with the proper performance of his or her functions during an inquiry: (a) he or she shall, as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to his or her knowledge, disclose the interest to the Minister; (b) the Minister shall take such action as the Minister considers appropriate; and (c) the interest shall be disclosed in the report of the inquiry. (3) Where a special Commissioner has or acquires an interest, pecuniary or otherwise, that could conflict with the proper performance of his or her functions during an inquiry: (a) he or she shall, as soon as practicable after the relevant facts have come to his or her knowledge, disclose the interest to the Minister; and (b) the special Commissioner shall resign under subsection 50(2) as a special Commissioner for the inquiry. (4) Where the Chairperson becomes aware that a special Commissioner has, in relation to an inquiry, an interest of the kind referred to in subsection (3), the Chairperson shall direct the special Commissioner not to take part in the inquiry.