14 MAY 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The abandonment of Labour’s commitment to reform the Official Information Act makes of mockery of the Government’s commitment to be the ‘most transparent and open’ in New Zealand’s history.

Responding to Minister of Justice Andrew Little’s backdown, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Louis Houlbrooke says:

“Sadly, the Minister of Open Government’s previous commitments to reform a ‘broken’ OIA now look to be out the window. The Government’s broken promises on transparency will justify New Zealanders’ cynical views of politicians across the spectrum.”

“More Transparency remains a core mission for the Taxpayers’ Union. We will continue to lobby for better access to information on how taxpayer resources are used.”

“Strong reform would include much stronger sanctions on officials deliberately gaming, or lying under, the OIA, and a wider scope for the entities which are currently not covered. It is incredible, that despite numerous Speakers calling for the OIA to be extended to Parliament, Mr Little is kicking the can down the road.”
ENDS

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