Office of the Speaker of the NZ House of Representatives
Rt Hon Trevor Mallard

MEDIA RELEASE
23 August 2018

Trevor Mallard today announced that Michael Heron QC would conduct the inquiry into the leaking of Parliamentary Service information containing National Party travel and accommodation expenses.

“Mr Heron is experienced in conducting high profile inquiries relating to integrity and conduct. I have appointed him following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Heron will be engaging forensic IT support to assist him“, Trevor Mallard said.

“It’s important to ascertain how this breach of trust occurred and to identify whether there is a systemic issue or an individual is responsible, and if so who that person is.”

“For completeness, I note that Mr Heron worked as a Crown Prosecutor at the same time as the Hon Simon Bridges (in different firms), and was appointed Solicitor General by (and worked with) Hon Chris Finlayson from 2012 to 2016. I have met Mr Heron on several occasions when he chaired Drug Free Sport NZ and I was Opposition Spokesperson for sport. “

“I will make no further comment until the terms of reference for the inquiry are released in the first week of September.” Trevor Mallard concluded.

Ends

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