Grant
ROBERTSON
Campaign Spokesperson

14 November 2011 MEDIA STATEMENT
Tell New Zealanders what was said Mr Key

It is time for John Key to end the charade and let New Zealanders know what he discussed with John Banks during the infamous cup of tea on Friday, Labour’s Campaign Spokesperson Grant Robertson says.

“Mr Key is trying to put up a smokescreen around the issue of the motives and legality of the taping of the conversation. Frankly that is a side issue to what was actually said between the two Johns,” Grant Robertson said.

“If the conversation is as bland as Mr Key says it was, then he should go ahead and let New Zealanders judge for themselves. Otherwise speculation will continue to mount. What did Mr Key promise to John Banks? What did John Banks say about the future of ACT? What did they say about the role of other parties in the government they would like to form? Did the sale of further state assets come up?

“This was no ordinary conversation It was between two politicians who want to be part of the government. It was conducted as part of a media stunt.

“New Zealanders have a right to know what the two Johns discussed because it has a direct bearing on the kind of government they would run if elected to do so by New Zealanders.

“When Paula Bennett released details of beneficiaries’ income in 2009, John Key said that they had put themselves into the public domain and that full information was needed so New Zealanders could judge the merits of their claims.

“John Key said in September, when opening the Customs' Integrated Targeting and Operations Centre which electronically records passenger details, that: ‘Anyone who is innocent has nothing to fear’.

“What is different here? John Key and John Banks put themselves into the public domain by hosting a media stunt, and New Zealanders deserve to know what deals and promises are being made if National and ACT get to form a government.’

“It’s time for John Key to front up and let the New Zealand public know what was said over the tea cups,” Grant Robertson said.

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