In the closing decade of the twentieth century, increasing attention was given to the codification of ethical behavioural standards among public officials, internationally and throughout Australian jurisdictions. This paper describes, compares and provides a preliminary analysis of the limited Australian codification initiatives for elected public officials in State and federal Parliaments over this period, with particular focus on the New South Wales and Queensland legislatures. The paper shows that Members of Parliament are reluctant to adopt codes of ethics or conduct and forecasts that the focus on implementing codes alone, without a range of supporting ethics initiatives, is likely to be of little effect.