Bill English MP
National Party Deputy Leader

10 July 2007

Health scandal: Govt hides the evidence?

National Party Deputy Leader Bill English says the Government appears to be attempting to hide and delay the release of Health Ministry reports on the reported conflict of interest scandal at Hawke's Bay Health.

Official information requests to the Ministry of Health for their documents have met with a wall of silence and they are now well overdue. They previously asked for an extension to June 27, which has come and gone.

"This unacceptable behaviour contrasts with the Hawke's Bay board which has co-operated with Official Information Act requests.

"Is Labour trying to protect Ministers Annette King and Pete Hodgson by announcing a sham inquiry and withholding information?

"Labour's inquiry has no terms of reference and no one to carry it out. This is rapidly turning into a farce.

"The inquiry should be turned over to the Auditor-General. That is what a responsible Government that wants to get to the bottom of these allegations would do."

ENDS

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