PM Must Justify Hiring $275,000pa Consultant

Wednesday 26th Jan 2000

Ken Shirley Media Release -- Justice

The Prime Minister is under pressure from the ACT Party today to justify the hiring of a $275,000pa consultant by the Police to work in her office on a six-month contract.

ACT Police Spokesman Hon Ken Shirley said the Prime Minister must explain how the six-month contract for retiring Police Commissioner to work on 'combating and preventing Maori Crime' can be worth more than her salary and more than the salary of the head of the Crime Prevention Unit in the Prime Minister's Office.

"This deal will make Peter Doone among the highest paid consultants on the Government books on a weekly pay packet of $5,288 per week.

"Helen Clark must make public exactly what taxpayers can expect for that money. I have today requested from the Prime Minister: Copies of the testimonials she claims came in from the Maori community asking that Peter Doone be kept on. Copies of the correspondence between Attorney General Margaret Wilson and Mr Doone's lawyers who brokered the deal. A formal job description for Peter Doone in the Prime Minister's office and the achievement targets both in combating and preventing Maori Crime that he is to meet. I have also asked the Prime Minister to explain where the cash-strapped Police will find the money to pay for Mr Doone's contract.

"Helen Clark admitted on Radio New Zealand last night that Peter Doone retaining his large salary was part of a 'settlement that has been arrived at'. This morning she tried to tell New Zealanders that Mr Doone would be 'working out a period of notice'. Mr Doone said this morning that he would have resigned without the Prime Minister creating him a job in her office.

"Unless the Prime Minister can provide proper justification for Mr Doone's contract and $275,000pa salary she will confirm that she is using the Crime Prevention Unit in her office as a 'green pastures' department in a very poor attempt to disguise Mr Doone's golden handshake," said Hon Ken Shirley.

ENDS

© Scoop Media