Steven Joyce digs a hole on broadband contracts

Communications Minister Steven Joyce continues to dig himself into a hole by denying that a potential or actual conflict of interest exists, Labour Communications and IT spokesperson Clare Curran said today.

“Murray Milner undertook consultancy work for Chinese Technology company Huawei at the same time he was a director of Crown Fibre Holdings, and today Steven Joyce admitted he met with Huawei during his recent visit to China,” Clare Curran said.

“He denied receiving any expressions of concern from industry stakeholders relating to a potential or actual conflict of interest in Murray Milner's dual roles.

“The Minister acknowledged he had sought advice from the Chair of Crown Fibre Holdings but said he was satisfied there was no conflict of interest.

“This is despite media speculation for a number of months about the relationship between Mr Milner and Huawei and the relationship between Mr Joyce and the Prime Minister and Huawei.

“Mr Joyce has received poor advice on this issue,” Clare Curran said.

“If Huawei is bidding for work associated with the ultrafast broadband project and that contract will be overseen by Crown Fibre Holdings, then there is at the very least a perceived conflict of interest.

“Mr Milner’s consultation work with Huawei was clearly related to the UFB.

“Just as CFH and its Board have responsibility to ensure that Mr Milner’s interests are managed, so does the Minister.

“Otherwise his decision is at risk of being tainted,” Clare Curran said.

ENDS

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