Saturday 10 February 2001

The personal grievance settlements made to two immigration officials after the Minister of Immigration made allegations against the officials in Parliament means the Minister has admitted culpability, National's Immigration spokesperson Marie Hasler said today.

"If the Minister's allegations were true there would be no settlement. It has been proved that there was no intention to mislead the Minister therefore the Minister misled Parliament and she must be held accountable for that.

"Lianne Dalziel obviously panicked under pressure and in an unprecedented move lashed out at her officials in Parliament virtually accusing them of lying when she said they didn't 'even tell her the truth'.

"I will be laying a complaint with the privileges committee on Monday. The Minister must be held publicly accountable as she held her officials accountable. Her outburst has not only affected the Immigration Officials she accused of lying but has cost the taxpayer in compensation.

"It is ironic that the details of the settlement are to be kept secret when this Government claims it is against cover-ups and confidentiality agreements. The Prime Minister should be true to her words and insist that the details of this taxpayer-funded payout are made public.

"This case is a far more serious breach of ministerial responsibility than that of Ruth Dyson or Dover Samuels and Lianne Dalziel should be dismissed," Ms Hasler said.

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