Antinuclear

Matt Canavan faces conflict-of-interest inquiry over $20m club loan, SMH  By David Crowe, February 3, 2020 The Morrison government is caught up in another inquiry into one of its own senior figures after Resources Minister Matt Canavan revealed a potential conflict of interest over a $20 million loan.Senator Canavan announced on Monday night he had not declared his link to the North Queensland Cowboys football club at the time it gained the loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility……..

Senator Canavan disclosed the inquiry at the same time he announced he had offered his resignation from the ministry because he would back former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce in a challenge against party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, or NAIF, is a key agency within Senator Canavan’s portfolio and was used last year to fund a multi-use training centre at the club…….

The inquiry into the loan raises the prospect that Senator Canavan may remain outside the ministry whatever the outcome of the Nationals leadership ballot.

The potential conflict has similarities with the resignation of former Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie, who stood down because she had not disclosed her membership of a gun club when the club received money from the sports funding program she oversaw as minister……… https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/matt-canavan-faces-conflict-of-interest-inquiry-over-20m-club-loan-20200203-p53xez.html?fbclid=IwAR2SINUWJoXs791GHHySuwgvYFHG9YJRtCT-qtRYJGdmcVvUeXIBb2_P0yQ