National's Corrections spokesperson Brian Neeson has accused Justice Minister Phil Goff of rank hypocrisy over the appointment of former Mongrel Mob frontman Harry Tam to a senior position in a Government Department.

"Phil Goff was outraged as Labour Justice spokesman in 1997 when former Mongrel Mob frontman Harry Tam was appointed as a policy analyst for the Ministry of Youth Affairs," Mr Neeson said.

Mr Goff condemned Mr Tam's appointment as an adviser on youth policy given his gang connections and assault conviction.

Mr Goff told a select committee about the 'horrific violence' suffered by Tam's wife and asked 'is a man who savagely assaults a woman and shows no remorse...suitable for appointment as a policy adviser in a sensitive area of developing policy including crime prevention initiatives to prevent youth offending?' 'It comes to a pattern of intimidation and harassment that I don't think any decent New Zealander would regard as acceptable.'

Harry Tam has been appointed as a senior policy adviser with the Corrections Department. He advises management and Government on women's issues, law reform and youth and drug strategy.

"Mr Goff should stand by his earlier comments and I will call him to account in Parliament next week over his justification for this appointment.

"The man who was outraged at an appointment four years ago is now hiding behind the 'inappropriateness of a Minister commenting on a state sector employee'. That is a sickening double standard," Mr Neeson said.

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

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