bid to be more accountable and transparent to members of the public.

In the House of Assembly on Friday, everyone agreed to register and make public what properties they own, their employment, shareholdings, directorships, sponsorship, and any overseas trips they make.

Registration forms have already been handed out and could be completed and returned within two weeks.

Their aim is to ensure that the interests of members are open and public to prevent good decision-making being hampered by undue influences.

However, there is a loophole to the "bare all'' scheme -- MPs do not have to include on their list the assets of their spouses or dependents.

Spouses must only declare what gifts, hospitality and benefits they have received both here and overseas and which overseas visits they have taken.

This means there is a possibility that some members may transfer ownership of assets into the names of their spouses and dependents before completing the forms in order to keep them out of the public eye.

How easily that can be monitored is yet to be seen.

However, one thing that will not be included in the register is members' debts.

The register of members' interests has taken six years for MP Trevor Moniz to put together as chairman of a committee with fellow MPs.

Last night, he said he was glad to finally see it agreed in the House of Assembly, and hoped members of the Senate would also vote to register their interests when they meet on Wednesday.

But he said how successful and truthful the register will be remains to be seen.

There are ten categories to the register. The first proposal was that both members and spouses had to declare everything, but that was voted out and a compromise eventually agreed.

Mr. Moniz said: "This is something I have been working on for six years -- many people were very against it -- but I am very glad it has now been passed.

"People are so afraid of it, they are saying it will discourage people from standing as an MP, but quite frankly, if you are not willing to be accountable and transparent then you should not be representing the people. I hope now that the Senate agrees the same. Anybody who is not in favour, should be fired.

"I don't know of anywhere that does not have some form of reporting.'' Mr. Moniz said he would be monitoring the register to see how well it worked, and if there was evidence that members were transferring assets over to their spouses then further action would be needed.

He added: "If that happens we will then have to look at strengthening the register and making changes.

MPs to declare their interests "I'm going to keep a close eye on this. I don't think there will be very many surprises when it comes out. I don't know everything, but I know an awful lot.'' One of the committee members working with Mr. Moniz was Government backbencher Dale Butler.

At the House of Assembly on Friday, when the register was agreed, he thanked Mr. Moniz for persevering with the register.

He said: "This was a personal, burning passion of his.'' And he said Mr. Moniz had been prepared to listen and negotiate over the details of the register.

He added: "We all now have to disclose to the public just how little we do, in fact, own.

"It will not be used in a mischeivous way. And I'm hoping that if a honourable member makes a mistake, he won't be penalised.'' Speaking on behalf of the Opposition, Legislative Affairs spokesman John Barritt said he spoke for everyone in his party when he welcomed the register.

And he said he believed it would make MPs more accountable and transparent.

Committee member Minister Paula Cox said the register was not a "fishing expedition''.

And she said some thought should be given to how the register will operate in future and whether or not a Parliamentary Commissioner be put in place to monitor its contents.

"This is to make sure that no member here is being subjected to any undue influences in their decision-making,'' she added.