Saudi 'Compensation' Not in Full And Final Settlement

The Taxpayers’ Union is has uncovered that despite building a $7.5 million ‘Agri-hub’ and paying $4 million to the Al Khalaf Group, no settlement agreement or liability waiver was secured in relation to the apparent claim the Government is using to justify the payment. Answering Parliamentary oral questions from Labour MP David Parker this afternoon, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully referred to a potential legal claim as justifying the unorthodox series of handouts.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says, "Mr McCully's referral to a legal claim lacks any credibility when the amount paid hasn't secured any sort of settlement or liability waiver."

“Incredibly, despite the millions in handouts, taxpayers are still on the hook for the apparent claim. At best it is utter-incompetence.”

Earlier today the Taxpayers’ Union revealed that NZTE officials obtained no rights of access to the Agri-hub, meaning that Hmood Al Khalaf can lock the gate and refuse access to the farm Kiwi taxpayers paid for.

“Taxpayer funded compensation should result from lawyers and negotiations, not NZTE officials giving away a farm in a desert."

“The Government is spinning that this is about compensation but it is beginning to look more like corporate welfare and chequebook diplomacy."

ENDS

© Scoop Media