Delamere's Ongoing Smear Campaign Disgusting - Donald

Green Party Co-leader Rod Donald has slammed Immigration Minister Tuariki John Delamere's ongoing attack on the deported Schier family as disgusting.

Today at the Social Services Select Committee Delamere made public selected pages from the Schier's 1996 business accounts which showed a loss on fuel sales in order to back up his public statements that they were involved in cannabis dealing.

Rod Donald said the ongoing attack on the Schiers amounted to a concerted smear campaign which was an attempt by Delamere to justify his appalling handling of the case.

"I will be calling Delamere to account for releasing these documents in the first place. It is extraordinary behaviour for a Minister to take it upon himself to make public private documents in this fashion," said Rod Donald.

"However, of far greater significance is the interpretation the Minister has chosen to make of these accounts, without having asked for an explanation from either the Schiers or their accountant.

"Did the Minister stop to consider that the Schiers would have used some of the fuel and food for business purposes and for their own private use?

"That is certainly the reason given today by the Schier's accountant for the loss on fuel.

"Either Tuariki John Delamere should take lessons in accountancy and diplomacy or else the Prime Minister should relieve him of his duties," he said.

"It is certainly in Mr Delamere's best interests to issue an unreserved apology to the Schier family."

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