Labour Stand Up - ACC Inquiry and Those Finland Comments

Tuesday, 27 March 2012, 11:35 am
Article: Mark P. Williams

This morning, Labour Deputy Leader Grant Robertson answered questions from the press gallery.

Asked what he thought of the conduct of ACC Minister Nick Smith regarding the case of Bronwyn Pullar he said that it would be perceived by the public as a clear case of cronyism. He urged Judith Collins to have a full inquiry.

He added that there were questions as to how the name of Bronwyn Pullar and the particulars of her case entered the public arena. He said that Judith Collins needs to answer 'very clearly' whether her office may have played any role in accessing that information or in its release.

When asked his opinion of Gerry Brownlee's derogatory comments regarding Finland he said that an apology was necessary as soon as possible. He added that he felt that Finnish responses to Mr Brownlee's comments were understandable as they obviously felt they had been 'sleighted'.

Asked his view on the Ports of Auckland dispute, he said that the lock-out was 'totally unhelpful' to the possibility of returning to good faith negotiations.

He could not comment significantly on Annette King's disclosure on "Operation 8" but said that he didn't see a particular need for a further inquiry into the case beyond that of the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

ENDS

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