Where's the White report?

Friday 17 Dec 2004 Rodney Hide - Press Releases - Other

ACT Leader Rodney Hide today accused the Government of delay over Douglas White's investigation into former Minister John Tamihere's failure to pay tax on his $195,000 "koha" payment from the Waipareira Trust and his election expenses return.

"The Government is once again deploying its delay-and-dump-over-Christmas tactic.

"On the 17 October Dr Cullen told reporters at the post cabinet press conference that Mr White would report back by November 26 `at the latest'. Dr Cullen said: 'Given the high public interest and the significance of the issues involved, it is important that the matter is dealt with as expeditiously as possible.'

"That `at the latest' was then extended by two weeks to 10 December. It's now 17 December and there's still no sign of the report. The Government has missed its `at the latest' deadline by three weeks!

"I am looking forward to Helen Clark's explanation as to why the report is late. Or is it just convenient to release the report days before Christmas and after the Parliament has risen for the year?" asked Mr Hide.

ENDS

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