Linda Reynolds more than six months late in declaring series of share trades on register

Senator Linda Reynolds was more than six months late in declaring a series of share trades on her register of interests, including one involving a defence company which had previously been awarded millions in government contracts during her time as defence minister.

Reynolds, who was defence minister until March 2021 when she became government services minister, acquired shares in Falcon Metals, Electro Optic Systems Holdings and BrainChip Holdings in October and November 2021.

Guardian Australia does not suggest that there was anything improper in the purchase of the parcels of shares, which Reynolds says were each worth less than $700.

The further alterations were disclosed at the same time, on 30 June. None of the trades were recorded on the register when voters went to the polls on 21 May.

Reynolds was defence minister from May 2019 to March 2021, then served as government services minister until May 2022, when the Morrison government was defeated.

Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is a defence contractor that has won numerous contracts for its remote weapons systems, including a $94m contract announced by the commonwealth government in September 2020, while Reynolds was minister.

On 13 May 2022, EOS announced the commonwealth had confirmed it as the supplier for marine remote weapons stations.

Based on share price movements, Reynolds appears not to have profited from the EOS trades. Electro Optic Systems Holdings shares slumped from $3.06 on 1 November, when they were bought, to $2.33 on 21 December, when sold.

In addition to the share trades, on 30 June Reynolds also declared the deletion of Chalice Mining shares; addition of Panorama super; addition of WA Liberal party in office holdings; and deletion of residential property in Narrabundah.