Groser Shows Contempt For Transparency

New Zealand First says Trade Minister Tim Groser’s refusal to acknowledge or answer Official Information Act (OIA) requests, brings the Minister’s performance of him and his office into question.

Associate spokesperson for Trade Andrew Williams says the Minister has so far failed to respond to five different OIA requests dating back to November 2012.

“While Mr Groser was off traveling the world at the tax-payer’s expense, trying to sure-up support for his failed WTO bid, his office has been failing to act on numerous OIA requests.

“Public scrutiny of this Government is being cast aside under the guise of mismanagement and brain-fades. It’s simply not good enough.”

Mr Williams believes that there needs to be greater scrutiny of Official Information Act requests.

“If it is this hard for MPs and their staff to get information out of this Government, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for everyday Kiwis wanting access to official information.

“New Zealand First will be laying a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman regarding this blatant disregard for the democratic process”, says Mr Williams.

ENDS

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