Minister Alters Official Record of Parliament

The Minister for Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell, has been caught making false statements in Parliament, and now changing the official Hansard record, says New Zealand First.

“The official Hansard transcript from today recording Mr Flavell’s answers has been altered,” says New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“In Parliament Mr Flavell admitted he had discussed a planned debate on Whanau Ora with his staff.

“However, previously he had told a select committee and Parliament that he and his staff had not been involved in discussing the debate with Maori TV.

“Today in Parliament he admitted he was aware of interaction between his staff and Maori TV, and then, some time later, had Hansard’s record altered to directly contradict his admission.

“The video of Parliament confirms Mr Flavell said: ‘The staff have advised me that the events of my appearing on that programme are as follows. On 14 May Māori Television’s Native Affairs made a request to myself. There was an interaction between my staff and Māori Television, of which I was aware, as often happens’.

“Now, in the transcript, the word ‘not’ has been inserted so it reads: ‘of which I was not aware’.

“The Minister should resign.”

Links:

Video of Parliament, Minister of Maori Development Te Ururoa Flavell answering questions from Rt Hon Winston Peters

Link to draft Hansard

ENDS

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