What we’ve Learnt From A Year of Tracking Ethics in Parliament

Members of Parliament (MPs) are entrusted with making laws, overseeing the Executive, approving public spending and representing the interests of citizens. With these responsibilities comes an equally important expectation: that they will act ethically, transparently and in the public interest.

Over the past year, we have tracked the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests tabled reports and the complaints it considered. Our ethics series explored the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests, the rules governing gifts and financial disclosures, and the process followed when an MP is accused of misconduct. The meetings of the committee are closed to the public so we only had the tabled reports to rely on to make the below observations. ‍

From rules to reality

Over the past year, Parliament's ethics committee has dealt with complaints involving financial disclosures, gifts and benefits, public conduct, conflicts of interest and the behaviour expected of elected representatives. Some complaints resulted in sanctions. Others were dismissed after investigation because insufficient evidence existed to establish a breach of the Code.

Parliament's ethics framework is intended to investigate complaints fairly, determine whether the Code has been breached, and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.

That balance between accountability and fairness is essential to maintaining confidence in Parliament's oversight processes.‍

What have we learnt?

After more than a year of monitoring Parliament's ethics processes, several important lessons have emerged. ‍

1. The ethics system is active, but not every complaint results in sanctions

One of the clearest observations is that Parliament's ethics mechanisms are being used.

Complaints have been submitted by MPs, members of the public and organisations, demonstrating that several avenues exist for raising concerns about unethical conduct.

However, not every complaint resulted in a finding against an MP. In several instances, the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a breach of the Code.

This is an important reminder that accountability requires due process. Allegations must be investigated carefully, evidence considered fairly, and Members given an opportunity to respond before findings are made.

An ethics system that investigates thoroughly, even when complaints are ultimately dismissed, helps strengthen public confidence in Parliament's oversight processes.

2. Transparency remains Parliament's strongest safeguard

Transparency is one of the most effective safeguards against unethical conduct.

The annual Register of Members' Interests requires MPs to disclose financial interests, sponsorships, gifts, sponsored travel, property ownership, directorships and other registrable interests.

These disclosures help identify potential conflicts of interest before they influence parliamentary decision-making.

The requirement to declare interests is not simply an administrative exercise. It allows citizens to scrutinise whether private interests may affect public responsibilities and reinforces the principle that public office should always be exercised in the public interest.

3. Ethics is about more than money

While financial disclosures receive considerable attention, the cases considered during the Seventh Parliament demonstrate that parliamentary ethics extends far beyond financial interests.

Complaints have related to public conduct, behaviour on social media, interactions with members of the public, alleged abuse of office, and conduct considered inconsistent with the dignity expected of MPs.

Ethics is therefore not limited to preventing corruption. It is about ensuring that MPs conduct themselves in ways that uphold the credibility and integrity of Parliament. See the Code of Ethical Conduct. 

4. Accountability is a shared responsibility

Parliament's ethics framework depends on more than the Ethics Committee alone.

Members of the public, civil society organisations, political parties and fellow MPs all have an important role to play in ensuring accountability.

The fact that complaints may be submitted by ordinary citizens demonstrates that parliamentary accountability is not confined to Parliament itself. Public participation and public scrutiny remain fundamental to ensuring ethical governance.

5. Accountability is a process

Ethics investigations often take time.

Complaints must be assessed, evidence gathered, responses considered and findings deliberated before recommendations are made.

Although lengthy investigations can sometimes frustrate the public, due process is essential. Fair investigations protect the rights of complainants and MPs alike while ensuring that decisions are based on evidence rather than public pressure or political opinion.

Ultimately, accountability is measured not by how quickly allegations are made, but by whether they are investigated fairly, transparently and consistently.

Ethics cases we've tracked

Since the beginning of the Seventh Parliament, we have monitored the complaints and findings considered by Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests.

These matters have included allegations relating to:

• failure to disclose financial and registrable interests;
• gifts and benefits;
• conflicts of interest;
• public conduct and behaviour;
• social media activity;
• alleged abuse of office; and
• other conduct potentially inconsistent with Parliament's Code of Ethical Conduct.

Ethics cases: Seventh Parliament

Visit PMG’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interest page to read the full reports on the above cases.

The Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests is currently under review, with the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests inviting public comments and written submissions on possible amendments. The review presents an important opportunity to strengthen the Code, with stakeholder feedback helping to reinforce accountability, transparency, and ethical standards in Parliament.

An informed public is one of democracy's strongest safeguards. Read our ethics series to understand, engage and hold your MPs accountable. 

Read the ethics series

If you missed the earlier articles in this series, you can also read:

• Global Ethics Day 2025 and South Africa's Parliament
• Foundations of Ethics in Parliament
• Ethics in Practice: Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality — What MPs May and May Not Accept
• When Things Go Wrong: What Happens When an MP Is Accused of Unethical Conduct?

‍This content is made possible through co-funding by the European Union. See more.