The Labour Government’s squalid hypocrisy is highlighted by the secret pay-out to immigration staff, says Penny Webster, ACT spokesperson for immigration.

“While in opposition, Labour politicians promised to end underhand payments involving tax-payers’ money,” Mrs Webster said.

“In April 1999, Helen Clark said: ‘New Zealanders should be able to look to their government for a lead on standards of behaviour and accountability’.

“Helen Clark has forgotten her own words and performed a sickening about-turn.

“First, taxpayers had to bankroll a pay-out to WINZ staff. Now, they are being forced to dig deep again in a cynical measure designed to hide Lianne Dalziel’s ineptitude.

“I requested details of the pay-out under the Official Information Act last year, but the Labour Government has stalled – hiding vital information from the very taxpayers who are footing the bill.

“The public deserves to know just how much it costs to cover up Labour Ministers’ stuff ups. We also deserve a promise from Clark that this Government will put an end to underhanded payments.

“Labour says one thing in opposition, but does quite another when in Government”, Mrs Webster said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>