National Pushes Fisheries Inquiry

National is looking for support from all political parties as it pushes for an urgent select committee inquiry into alleged corruption at the Ministry of Fisheries.

“This goes past party politics,” says National’s David Carter, who chairs the Primary Production select committee, which meets later today.

”The scampi fishery’s worth more than $100 million and these allegations against the public service are some of the most severe ever levelled.

“It needs to be tidied up as soon as possible, until then I think every employee at the Ministry is now under suspicion,” Mr Carter says.

The comments relate to claims that a fisheries officer was paid to leave the Ministry nine years ago while investigating alleged misreporting of scampi catches.

“There’s urgency now I think for New Zealanders to be assured there is no corruption within the Ministry of Fisheries.”

Mr Carter’s already drafting the terms of reference for any inquiry, although it requires the support of other parties if it’s to get the nod at this afternoon’s select committee meeting.

“Even though some of the events took place while National was in Government we believe there needs to be transparency on this.

“I believe it’s in the interests of all parties to make sure that a multi-billion dollar industry is not tarnished by allegations of corruption,” says Mr Carter.

© Scoop Media