One of them has shares in the cubbie cotton farm, which is growing cotton out in the desert and using up huge quanities of precious water.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Qld-ministers-forced-to-give-up-shares/2007/05/22/1179601377078.html

Queensland ministers will be forced to relinquish control of all shares and similar interests in any company that operates to make a profit under changes to the code of ethics.

Premier Peter Beattie told state parliament on Tuesday cabinet had reconsidered the code governing the ownership of shares and directorships in a bid to keep the Queensland government accountable.

He said under the current code of conduct, ministers are required to divest themselves of shareholdings in any company where a conflict of interest exists.

That sounds a good diea. To remove the conflict of interests.

The counsellors could still invest via a fund run by a sharebroker or the like.