Solid Energy board's behavior appalling

The Save Happy Valley Coalition is appalled at the irresponsible arrogance shown by the board of Solid Energy, who have publicly expressed their faith in CEO Don Elder despite revelations of extensive use of a spy by the company against activists opposed to their environmentally destructive practices.

"No assurances have been provided for the future," said Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson Frances Mountier. "No assurances have been provided that SOEs, CRIs and other state funded entities aren't subcontracting spies. No assurances have been provided beyond that the Minister of State Owned Enterprises is unaware of such occurrences and he has directed SOEs to act 'ethically'.

"Solid Energy's failure to rectify the situation at their July board meeting, to provide details of their meeting to the public and to reprimand Don Elder, shows behaviour that is far from ethical. These are serious issues of accountability, and at this stage there is no sign of a structural change to assure such spying does not reoccur.

"Solid Energy have been caught using Thompson and Clark Investigations Ltd to spy on the Save Happy Valley Coalition three times. Now their political masters have criticised such behaviour, but unless serious changes are implemented, Solid Energy are getting away with unethical behaviour.

"The use of investigators and infiltrators, and the lies and subterfuge, are nothing but tactics to intimidate opposition, and to close down public debate on the activities of New Zealand's most environmentally destructive SOE. Solid Energy is supposed to be an SOE not a intelligence gathering organization, Don Elder's behaviour is not acceptable and has been condemned by a wide range of groups from across the country.

"A closed board meeting is not an investigation � it is a pat on the back," said Ms Mountier.

ENDS

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