Nash censured but retains PM's confidence

Conflict of interest allegations have led to the censuring of Liberal senator Fiona Nash in the upper house.

Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash

Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash has been censured by the Senate over the removal of a website. (AAP)

Censured but unrepentant.

That's Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash after facing federal parliament's most serious rebuke over conflict of interest allegations in her office.

But the Liberal senator insists she has explained herself, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott says she has done nothing wrong and that the opposition should give up its pursuit.

"Not only is there no fire, there is not even any smoke," he told parliament on Wednesday.

Senator Nash's senior staffer Alastair Furnival has resigned over the matter.

His wife's public relations company - with links to the junk food industry - is alleged to have influenced the removal of a government good food website overseen by Senator Nash's office.

Opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King said it was an "infected policy decision" to take down the website.

"She should resign," Ms King said.

Refusing to produce documents which she says proves there was no wrongdoing within her office, Senator Nash said she has acted in good faith throughout her questioning.

"I have explained to the Senate and the Senate estimates committee time and time again, that there was no conflict of interest," she told parliament.

The upper house on Wednesday passed a censure motion against Senator Nash.

"This is the most serious resolution that a chamber of this parliament can move against a minister," Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong said.

She again called on Mr Abbott to take action against his junior minister.

"We should not have had to move this motion ... because the prime minister should have acted ... to ensure that the statement of ministerial standards were upheld," Senator Wong said.

"He failed to do so."

She said Senator Nash has misled the Senate and should resign.

But Mr Abbott is unlikely to direct any action.

"Frankly, Labor should find a different tree to bark up," he said.

Attorney-General George Brandis said Senator Nash had done everything she should have done to ensure there was no conflict of interest.

She had sought undertakings from Mr Furnival and required he divest his interest in the public relations firm.

The undertakings were honoured and the divestment took place.

"Nothing more could have been done," Senator Brandis said.


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Source: AAP


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