Media Release

27 July 2006

$2.4 Million And Counting With No End In Sight

New Zealand First Deputy Leader Peter Brown is hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing saga of Algerian convict Ahmed Zaoui but is not holding his breath.

His comments come after questions from New Zealand First today revealed that the costs relating to the Ahmed Zaoui case had spiralled to an amount in excess of $2.4 million.

“These figures do not even include the costs incurred by the Department of Corrections or the Security Intelligence Service,” said Mr Brown.

“What is worse is that we were given an indication in the House this afternoon that the next hearing to review the security risk certificate issued against Mr Zaoui is not likely to take place until early next year.

“This ongoing hole in the pocket of the New Zealand taxpayer could have been plugged years ago had Mr Zaoui exercised his right to leave this country.

“The Government must ensure that a repeat of this farcical situation is prevented when Mr Zaoui’s case finally comes to a close and the law can be reviewed to allow the streamlining of deportation processes,” concluded Mr Brown.

ENDS

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