Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Clark Urged To Repay Yelash Money To Taxpayer

ACT MP Dr Muriel Newman today presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of a group of concerned New Zealanders calling for the Prime Minister to repay to the taxpayer the $55,000 settlement made to John Yelash for wrongly calling him a murderer.

“I’m pleased to present this petition of Mr Michael Coote and 46 others because I also believe it is scandalous the Prime Minister used taxpayers’ money and tried to cover up this settlement.

“Public opinion polls and newspaper editorials have shown that the Prime Minister’s decision to pay for defaming Mr Yelash with taxpayers’ money is extremely unpopular with most New Zealanders – including those who voted for Labour.

“They don’t think Helen Clark should have used taxpayer’s money to get herself out of a difficult situation of her own making – and neither do I. Ms Clark’s incredibly ill-judged comments had nothing to do with her duties as Prime Minister and therefore any money she had to pay should have come out of her own pocket.

“This case has clearly demonstrated the double standards of this Prime Minister and her Government. She believes it perfectly acceptable to rail against secret payouts when in opposition and yet undertake those same secret payouts – at the taxpayers’ expense – when in Government.

“I hope that the Select Committee will give robust consideration to this petition and act upon it, because that’s what New Zealanders want,” Dr Newman said.

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.