Privacy breaches and cover ups on Key’s head

The Henry Inquiry directly asked for the release of emails and phone logs between Andrea Vance and Peter Dunne, completely contradicting the claims made by John Key that the release was a mistake by a contractor in Parliamentary Services, says Labour Deputy Leader Grant Robertson.

" John Key has spent all week trying to distance himself from his own inquiry. Yet emails publically dumped last night show that on the 20th of May the Henry Inquiry directly requested emails and phone logs for contact between Andrea Vance and Peter Dunne.

" In Parliament John Key claimed the inquiry did not seek these records. That is simply not true.

“John Key actually misled Parliament by releasing only part of the emails from the Inquiry. New Zealanders deserve a Prime Minister who is upfront. At the moment he is letting New Zealanders down. This kind of evasion and slipperiness is not good enough.

" John Key set up this inquiry. The release of these records was authorised by John Key's Chief of Staff, Wayne Eagleson. John Key has said that when Wayne Eagleson speaks he is speaking for him. Now he needs to take responsibility for this inquiry, the breaches of privacy and the cover ups.

" This inquiry has raised very significant issues about how this government is using its powers and the effect that might have on journalists and MPs doing their jobs. To hear Steven Joyce and John Key say that they don't think New Zealanders care about this shows just how out of touch and defensive they are. New Zealanders and Labour care about the rights and freedoms of our citizens even if National does not,” Grant Robertson said.

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New Court Orders, Screening, Guardianship Changes...: Government Ignoring Poverty, Again

It remains to be seen if announcements today will better protect children, but the National Government is forgoing an opportunity to really help kids by ignoring the elephant in the room, which is poverty, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the experts have told the Government that very low income is associated with higher rates of child maltreatment and neglect -- something which was totally ignored in the Government's Children's Action Plan and the announcements today," Mrs Turei said. More>>