Shearer’s Hypocrisy Staggering

Press Release by ACT Leader John Banks

Tuesday, March 19 2013

Labour Leader David Shearer should apply his own ethical standards to himself and stand down, ACT Leader John Banks said today.

“Shearer is on record as saying those who suffer from a memory lapse aren’t fit to hold office,” Mr Banks said.

“But yesterday, Shearer admitted he ‘forgot’ to declare more than $50,000 he has stashed away in an overseas bank account.

“Worse, he didn’t forget once, he forgot four years in a row. Shearer’s hypocrisy is staggering.

“How long has he had this secret bank account? How much is in it? Where exactly did the money come from?

“The most serious question is how long has he forgotten to declare this income to the IRD? Failure to declare income from an offshore bank account, to evade or avoid tax, can constitute a criminal offence.

“This is appalling behaviour for someone who claims to have such high ethical standards, let alone from someone who wants to be Prime Minister.

“If he’s reckless with his own banks accounts, how can he be trusted with taxpayers’ money?

“Shearer needs to explain his double standards to the public,” Mr Banks said.

ENDS

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