Labour Leader Receives Assurances on Liu Case
David SHEARER
Labour Leader
21 May 2012
MEDIA STATEMENT
Labour Leader Receives Assurances on Liu
Case
Labour Leader David Shearer has
received assurances from MP Shane Jones that he followed the
proper process when granting citizenship to Yong Ming Yan
(Bill Liu) when he was associate Immigration
Minister.
“Following the allegations, which I
took seriously, I spoke to Shane Jones and asked for his
assurance that the correct process had been followed when
the decision to grant citizenship was made in 2008. I also
looked through the information Shane has from the time at
the weekend and spoke to a number of other Labour MPs who
were aware of the issues involved in the Liu
case.
“Having looked at the material we have
available, it appears that the process through which Yong
Ming Yan (Bill Liu) was granted citizenship was considered
and proper. We of course do not have access to the
departmental files, but are relying on information retained
by Shane about the case.
“Shane has also answered
questions I put to him regarding suggestions of any benefit
he might have received from Mr Liu. Shane absolutely denies
any pecuniary association with Mr Liu. He has received no
money, gifts or travel.
“Shane is not a friend of
Mr Liu. He believes he has met him on one or two
occasions.
“It is worth noting that there are
differences in the facts presented in court and those
presented by Shane Jones, including that he was sworn in a
day after receiving citizenship. These are the facts
presented to me from Shane Jones.
· Shane received the application for Mr
Liu’s citizenship on 14 July 2008.
· He met with Department of Internal Affairs’ officials twice, once for over an hour.
· In early August he received a submission from the lawyer acting on Mr Liu’s behalf, John Billington QC, which he referred to DIA for comment.
· Officials recommended that citizenship not be granted. But Shane felt the officials had not established a clear case against Mr Liu.
· Citizenship was granted on 6 August 2008.
· Former MP Dover Samuels wrote to Shane Jones requesting a citizenship ceremony be held. Mr Jones replied to Mr Samuels telling him to talk to DIA directly.
· The ceremony was held on 11 August 2008. Shane Jones did not attend.
ENDS