Minister Lizzie Blandthorn is the sister of John-Paul Blandthorn, a Hawker Britton director. -AAP Image
The new Victorian planning minister will still make independent decisions despite a potential conflict of interest with her lobbyist brother, the state government says.
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Minister Lizzie Blandthorn, who took over the planning portfolio this week as part of a cabinet reshuffle, is the sister of Hawker Britton director John-Paul Blandthorn.
Hawker Britton's clients include construction company John Holland, which is tasked with building the West Gate Tunnel, Mirvac, the Dennis Family Corporation and Melbourne Airport.
The planning minister has the power to make decisions around planning permits and land rezoning.
But the state government says there will be arrangements in place to ensure any potential or perceived conflicts of interest are managed.
"All ministers are expected to act with integrity as they manage their portfolios to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians," a government spokesperson told AAP in a statement.
"The Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and the Victorian Public Sector Commissioner are developing a robust management plan to ensure the independence of the Minister for Planning's decision making process."
AAP has contacted Planning Minister Lizzie Blanthorn and Hawker Britton director John-Paul Blandthorn for comment.
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