Julie Bishop stops short of backing Malcolm Turnbull's ministerial sex ban

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Julie Bishop stops short of backing Malcolm Turnbull's ministerial sex ban

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has stopped short of throwing her direct support behind a ban on ministers having sex with staff.

But the deputy Liberal leader has acknowledged the changes to the ministerial code of conduct by Malcolm Turnbull brings the government into line with many workplaces.

The Prime Minister made the announcement last Thursday following revelations about Barnaby Joyce's affair with a staffer who is now carrying their child.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Ms Bishop was previously critical of suggestions there should be a ban, akin to the one adopted by the US Congress.

When commenting on the US ban, Ms Bishop said the government had no business interfering in personal lives and there shouldn't be "moral police" dictating what happens between consenting adults.

But on Monday, after one was announced by Mr Turnbull, Ms Bishop said he was simply trying to make the code more explicit.

Asked directly if she supported the Prime Minister's decision, she said: "I will abide by the ministerial code of conduct."

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A Newspoll published on Monday showed 64 per cent of Australians supported the ban, with 25 per cent opposed.

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"There are still areas of a politician's life that are and should be private," Ms Bishop told Sky News from London.

"What the Prime Minister is seeking to do is ensure that there are not relationships within ministers' offices that can lead to an improper influence over a minister's decisions to conflicts of interest, to misuse of taxpayers funds."

On the poll result, Ms Bishop said if the revised code of standards was meeting community expectations then that was a "positive thing".

AAP

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