Don Brash MP National Party Leader

9 August 2006

Clark argues black is white

Helen Clark's ability to argue that black is white is becoming legendary and must be of concern to the public, says National Party Leader Don Brash.

"A string of issues in the last few weeks have shown that she is New Zealand's own propaganda princess, worthy of a banana republic.

"First, she argued that Taito Philip Field had been cleared by the Noel Ingram inquiry by saying 'the report does not find wrongdoing by Mr Field'. In reality, the Ingram report was toothless - it raised serious concerns but Dr Ingram was not given the powers to investigate properly.

"Next, she has argued that Foreign Minister Winston Peters has been doing a great job in that role. This about a man who argues with the New Zealand media in front of Senator John McCain - who may be the next US President.

"Then, on the unlawful overspending by her office on the pledge card and brochure, she claims the rules have been changed by the Auditor-General 'after the ref has blown the final whistle'.

"Is she suggesting that taxpayers take that approach with IRD? What would happen if people took Helen Clark's attitude and ignored the rules because it didn't suit them?

"The rules on spending of parliamentary appropriations on electioneering are clear - it's not done.

"The public can have no trust in what Helen Clark says. In their desperate bid to retain power at the last election, Labour dipped into money they knew they were not entitled to spend.

"Now the Auditor-General has identified that the spending was unlawful, National expects Helen Clark to pay the money back immediately so the taxpayer is not out of pocket."

ENDS

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