Key has questions to answer over Williamson’s directorship

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson needs to step aside from any decision making role regarding the government’s response to the collapse of Mainzeal in light of his role as a director of a company with strong links to the construction company, Labour’s Deputy Leader Grant Robertson says.

“Maurice Williamson is a director of Holyoake Industries, which has worked with Mainzeal on a number of large projects, including the Supreme Court in Wellington. Whether or not the company is a creditor, it has a long standing relationship with Mainzeal.

“To avoid the perception of a conflict of interest Mr Williamson needs to step aside from any role in the government’s consideration of the Mainzeal collapse and its response to that.

“There are significant issues particularly for sub-contractors that the government does need to address, but having Mr Williamson involved gives rise to the possible perception of a conflict of interest.

“To his credit Maurice Williamson has never concealed the fact that he is a director of Holyoake Industries. The question that John Key needs to answer is why he allowed Mr Williamson to continue as a director when he appointed him Building and Construction Minister.

“Having a director’s role within an industry that directly relates to a Ministerial role is just asking for trouble. Mr Williamson will constantly be making decisions that affect Holyoake Industries. Why on earth did John Key agree to this when he appointed Mr Williamson a Minister?

‘I am not questioning Maurice Williamson’s integrity, but rather the impression that this situation creates. It is vital that government decision making is seen to be beyond reproach.

“Mr Key has let down the standards of transparency by allowing this situation to arise. He should revisit the decision and Mr Williamson should choose between his two roles.”
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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>