National Party Immigration Spokesman

10 January 2005

Still no end in sight to Zaoui bills

Ahmed Zaoui might be out of prison and out of the spotlight but his legal bills and cost to the taxpayer continue to grow, says National's Immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall.

Answers to written questions show that the total costs incurred by the Crown since Mr Zaoui arrived in New Zealand is $1.46 million, including almost $1 million by the Crown Law Office.

"And the bills will continue to mount until a firm decision has been reached on the status of his national security risk certificate," says Mr Ryall

"The sooner this matter is resolved the better.

"All this expense would have been spared if the Government had more efficient processes in place to deal with this sort of situation," says Mr Ryall.

ENDS

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