“Stuart Nash must leave Parliament,” says the National Party Deputy Leader. “A stench is now swirling around the Government and Hipkins must act swiftly to clear it.”
New Zealand prides itself on being globally recognised as one of the least corrupt countries in the world.
Successive Governments have worked hard to maintain that reputation and to uphold the integrity of Cabinet decision-making: including by carefully managing Ministers’ potential conflicts of interest and keeping Cabinet discussions secret.
Stuart Nash’s actions have thrown all that in the air.
In 2020 he wrote to two business people (who were also donors) about Cabinet’s decisions on a proposed policy change affecting the obligations of commercial landlords and their tenants. In doing so, Nash gave donors confidential Government information they had an interest in – information so secret that most New Zealanders could never dream of getting it. That stinks.
Nash has not not only disgraced himself and his Party, he has brought the integrity of New Zealand’s political system into disrepute.
The only reason we know this is that Nash got caught.
Big questions now need to be asked.
– Had Nash leaked from Cabinet before?
– Had he properly declared and managed personal interests that might have been influencing his decision making?
– How long has Minister Nash been operating according to a totally different set of rules than anyone else?
– Are other Ministers doing this sort of thing too?
– Are Ministers properly declaring potential conflicts of interests?
– Are Ministers being improperly influenced by their personal interests?
This sorry episode also gives a new slant to another worrying episode dating from Nash’s time as the Minister of Tourism.
Last year the Auditor General published a report criticising the management of a $290m Government tourism grant scheme that Nash was responsbile for. The Auditor-General called-out a lack of clarity and documentation supporting grant decisions saying “Trust and confidence can be undermined where the criteria are not clear and when some applicants are treated, or perceived to be treated differently than most applicants”.
The Prime Minister should protect New Zealand’s reputation by initiating a through and independent inquiry into Nash’s conduct and any other breaches of Cabinet rules he may have been responsible for.
Yes, you’re right, Parliament shouldn’t have to spend our time on scandals of this sort. I’d much prefer we were focused on work to address the cost of living crisis and deal with pressing issues with crime, health services and education standards. Instead, we are dealing with yet another errant Government Minister, whose disgraceful behaviour has made the whole place look bad.
Hipkins must act. Initiate the inquiry, exit Nash and close this sorry chapter once and for all.
All of them must go ! They are the true river of filth ! ” where the boots fit ”
New Zealand needs a New Zealand run govt ! ” by the people for the people !
Nicola Willis was there when we protested , where was she then , her words are worth nothing !
TRW ……….. you are on the number, again.
Yes, were where the politicians at the Freedom Village — they were hiding behind the skirt of the “futching-bitch-evil-jabcinda”.
Jabcinda should be strung, hanged, and burnt – futching bitch; including the “red-headed-runt”, and “sir-futching-covid”
What a despicable situation, “sir covid” – this clown reduces a knighthood to zero. king-charlies ………. take some advice : look carefully at those to whom you anoint as Sirs and Dames.
Willis, take a hint – along with you lame arse leader – get involved with the people of NZ.
We see it as a process of incremental steps: which party is clearly going to be the better government? We agree with those who say we won’t get a a really good one — but at least ACT + National have a good set of founding principles, even if they need regular reminding when they stray from them. This government has shown over 5 years any principles are subject to political expediency at all times and they practice double-speak. They give lip service to proper debate and discussion, instead they do only what they and key supporters want and Stuff everyone else.