Phil Goff

Leader of the Labour Party

03 December 2010

Media Statement

Auditor-General should investigate Wong

Labour Leader Phil Goff is calling for the Pansy Wong case to be referred to the Auditor-General for a thorough investigation after the release of a report today that is nothing but a whitewash and a cover-up.

“The report simply swallows the story as told by the Wongs, who have already been caught rorting taxpayers’ money. How can their word be trusted? This is a once-over lightly investigation that has barely scratched the surface. It certainly does not tell us what the Wongs have been up to. The author simply keeps saying there is "no evidence" of wrongdoing but it is clear he hasn't dug deep enough.

“The report records that the Wongs have taken 13 overseas trips and claimed $54,149 in terms of the international travel rebate. Five of those trips were taken by Sammy Wong alone. He claims that on those trips he was busy tracing family roots, playing golf, visiting family, friends and tourist sites. The report accepts his word that that is all he was up to. Yet the same report reveals that Sammy Wong has business interests in China and Vietnam – the very countries he travelled to on these so-called holidays at the taxpayers’ expense.

“The report does at least find that Pansy Wong’s decision to witness a business contract relating to her husband’s interests in a hovercraft company broke the rules. It also states that it’s unlikely the Wongs would have even been in Lianyungang in China if it wasn’t for Sammy Wong’s business interests.

“It is also interesting to note that Sammy Wong has claimed almost $93,935 in domestic travel subsidies. He advised the author of the report that those trips were not for private business purposes or that he has ‘no recollection’ of any business purpose. His word is again simply accepted, despite the fact that many of the trips were to Christchurch where he has significant business interests.

“In terms of Sammy Wong using his wife’s electorate office as the registered address for two of his businesses, the report says there’s no evidence that he used it for commercial business. But he has admitted using it for work as a Justice of the Peace.

“This stacks up as a report that has been written with the clear intention of absolving Pansy Wong of any wrongdoing. John Key’s sticky fingers are all over it too.
A week ago, he said there was nothing in the allegations that would drive him to remove her from caucus. That shows he’s tried to influence the investigation from the very beginning.

“The Prime Minister came into power proudly proclaiming that he would set high standards for his MPs, but those standards have quickly evaporated.

“We’re now seeing a pattern of behaviour from National ministers working under John Key. Bill English rorted the housing allowance, Phil Heatley whacked bottles of wine and his family’s holiday on the taxpayer-funded credit card and Richard Worth used his ministerial position for financial gain just like Pansy Wong has. He was pushed out of Parliament by his leader whereas Pansy Wong’s being let off the hook.

Instead of holding Pansy Wong to account as a decent leader would, he allowed his staff and ministers to hurl personal abuse at the Opposition and to bully the media. He sent Pansy Wong into hiding so she wouldn’t have to explain her actions. Now he’s claiming that her so-called ‘mistake’ isn’t malicious so she should be let off the hook.

“That flies in the face of action taken against others who’ve misused the travel perk in the past. Former MPs David Butcher and Roger McClay were convicted for fraud after claiming the travel rebate when they was in fact travelling for work John Key needs to explain why Pansy Wong shouldn't face the same sanction.

“What will it take for the Prime Minister to accept that Pansy Wong’s behaviour is unacceptable? Or can we simply expect more of the same under a Government led by John Key?”

ENDS

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