Questions have been raised about high commissioner to the UK Alexander Downer retaining connections to a lobbyist business on the side while serving as a diplomat.
In a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Labor senator Joe Ludwig tabled a company search document which listed Mr Downer as the sole director and shareholder of Arbury Pty Ltd, while another document showed Arbury was a current shareholder of Bespoke Approach Pty Ltd, a boutique lobbying firm.
Both documents contain reference to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Canberra address.
Attorney-General George Brandis pointed out that Mr Downer and his daughter Georgina are listed in the documents as former company officers of Bespoke Approach and that they had ceased involvement before Mr Downer took up the British posting.
Senator Brandis told the hearing Arbury is the corporate trustee of a family trust and is not a trading business in any capacity.
"It's perfectly regular for public servants to have investments," he told the hearing.
Mr Downer had taken steps to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, Senator Brandis said.
Department secretary Peter Varghese said it was common practice for officers on postings to list DFAT's Canberra office as a point of contact.
Mr Varghese said Mr Downer was briefed before his posting about public servant obligations including matters of conflicts of interests.
"Mr Downer was required... to sign a form relating to the disclosure of financial and other interests, which he did so," Mr Varghese said.
Mr Downer indicated he was aware of no conflicts of interests for him or his family, Mr Varghese said.
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