Scoop  Parliament

15 August 2001

The Price Of A Puncture Repair Now A State Secret – What A Nonsense

Yesterday, New Zealand First Law and Order Spokesman Ron Mark received a reply to a Parliamentary question which he had put to the Minister of Police asking if the Police vehicle fleet servicing was contracted out, and if so, how much they were paying per puncture repair.

“Imagine my surprise to learn from Mr Hawkins’ written answer that confirmed that vehicle servicing was subject to a contract, but that the price of a puncture repair is commercially sensitive and could not be disclosed.

“Having suspected for some time that the government was intent on keeping the public in the dark about its level of expenditure, I could never have dreamed that they would carry that desire to such a point of absurdity as to refuse to reveal the price they pay to have a puncture repaired,” Mr Mark said.

“Today marks a new era of secrecy and stupidity within the Labour and Alliance coalition government and one can only speculate where such a desire to keep the truth from taxpayers may lead,” concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

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