Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
Member of Parliament for Northland

11 APRIL 2016

No Confidence in Government in-House Review

New Zealand First Leader and Northland MP Rt Hon Winston Peters has expressed no confidence in John Shewan’s appointment to review foreign trust disclosure rules.

“In less than 24 hours the Prime Minister has gone from an overseas expert to someone of the government’s choosing long involved in accountancy practices in New Zealand.

“Mr Shewan was involved in a number of high profile tax cases:

“First, the Westpac Banking Corporation which ended in a Westpac Banking Corporation-IRD dispute which ended in four Australian-owned banks settling for $2.2 billion in December 2009.

“Second, he gave expert advice in the Penny & Hooper case. The Court of Appeal and Supreme Court dismissed his evidence as being inappropriate from an expert witness.

“Third, he was dismissive over the Cook Islands Winebox allegations, preferring 'form over substance', a misguided view overruled by the Privy Council, Court of Appeal and the New Zealand High Court.

“Fourth, Mr Shewan has been giving tax advice to New Zealand governments for years. “New Zealand First wants a proper inquiry with the full powers to obtain disclosure and by a body not contaminated by New Zealand establishment associations.

“Mr Key’s soft option won't do to allay international criticism that New Zealand is a tax haven.

“This appointment means the government is not taking the issue of New Zealand’s reputation seriously,” Mr Peters said.

ENDS

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