Cannabis Party candidate calls on John Key to follow Australia's lead and suspend all taxpayer payments to the Clinton Foundation's flagship initiative

Mt Roskill by-election candidate Brandon Stronge is calling on John Key to halt all payments from the New Zealand taxpayer to the Clinton Foundation.

Australia cut off funding for the foundation after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Tuesday agreements entered into by the Rudd-Gillard government had not been renewed.

However, NBR reports that New Zealand's government still plans to give a further $6 million to the Clinton Foundation's flagship initiative, on top of $7.7 million already given.

A spokesperson for New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said it has “no intention to further review our support for the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).”

According to a report by US congresswoman Marsha Blackburn CHAI was complicit in watering down HIV drugs that likely lead to increased mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Clinton Foundation is a “sham charity” where “only 15 percent of monies went towards 'direct program expenditures' at the foundation in 2013”, Blackburn said.

“Reports have shown that the Clinton Foundation has failed to accurately report tens of millions of dollars in foreign government grants, including some while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. This should be troubling to all Americans as it gives the appearance that there could be a pay-to-play arrangement between the Clintons and foreign governments.”

Mr Stronge is calling on John Key to put a stop to the upcoming $6 million payment.

“$13.7 million would go a long way towards HIV research in New Zealand, especially if it included medical cannabis,” he said.

“Why is the government allowing taxpayer's money to go to an organisation that is currently under investigation by the FBI?”

ENDS

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