Minister's Outburst Leads To Personal Grievance Claims

The cost of Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel's outburst in Parliament where officials were accused of not telling her the truth about a 'dawn raid' has been revealed in select committee, National Immigration Spokesperson Marie Hasler said today.

"In answer to my questions in the select committee, Chris Hampton General Manager of the New Zealand Immigration Service, confirmed that 'a number' of personal grievances have been created against the Immigration Service by staff members implicated by the Minister's rash outburst in Parliament," Ms Hasler said.

The Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee was told that a staff member in the Minister's office contacted an Immigration Official requesting information on the removal of the family concerned. The Minister's Office did not check that advice with Mr Hampton or anyone else in the Immigration Service. A discrepancy was later found between what the Minister said publicly and what actually occurred. After the Minister alleged in Parliament that her officials 'have not even told (her) the truth' she was assured by officials that there was no intention to mislead her.

"Even the State Services Commissioner has indicated that there was no intention to mislead the Minister by Immigration Officials.

"One can only assume given a personal grievance has been created that the Minister got it wrong and that the advice given to her was correct. If this is proved to be the case the Minister must apologise in the House.

"The cost of this outburst will not only cost the Immigration Officials their career but cost the taxpayer in compensation. The Minister must be held accountable as she held her officials accountable," Ms Hasler said.

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