NZ First Staffer Ushered to Exit

7 July 2014

Responding to the Speaker's comments on the investigation of New Zealand First’s use of Parliamentary funding for party purposes, Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayers’ Union, says:

“The public deserve answers about what taxpayers’ funds were used for in the offices of New Zealand First. We understand that the staff member in question, Api Dawson, was ushered to the exit and is no longer working for the Parliamentary Service.”

In 2013 Dawson was investigated in relation to allegations he falsified qualifications and recently attracted media attention for referring to NZ First supports as 'lazy and forgetful'.

“It’s time for the Parliamentary Service to come under the Official Information Act so the public can know what’s going on. In no other government agency would this level of secrecy be tolerated. We are still none the wiser as to whether taxpayer money was used to fund the Party’s Vanguard software, or whether redundancy payments were made to keep disgruntled staff quiet."

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is a non-partisan activist group, dedicated to being the voice for Kiwi taxpayers in the corridors of power. It’s here to fight government waste and make sure New Zealanders get value for money from their tax dollar.

ENDS

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