Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Report Vindicates Bradford

Defence Minister Max Bradford said today he had been vindicated by the
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee’s inquiry into an allegation of political influence or involvement in the appointment of the Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University.

“Despite the best efforts of the opposition party members, the committee concluded there was no evidence of political interference or involvement.

“This was my position from the beginning, a position proved to be correct by those who were best placed to know,” Mr Bradford said.

“Opposition members of the committee elected not to include the extensive evidence from interviews showing this and chose instead to focus on unsubstantiated innuendo.

“The full evidence shows that when cross-examined, officials and independent university people involved in the appointment process, all denied absolutely that there had been any political interference or influence,” he said.

Mr Bradford said former Director Terence O’Brien’s allegations of political interference in the selection process were proven to be totally without foundation.

“I much regret that Mr O’Brien started the whole process in the way that he did. I am particularly disappointed that he refused under oath to substantiate his allegation.

“It is a matter of public record that Mr O’Brien, an applicant along with others, was unsuccessful by unanimous decision of both the selection panel and the management committee of the centre.

“I trust this will put a sorry incident to bed,” Mr Bradford said.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.