Press Release: Penny Bright Independent candidate Mt Albert by-election
"The 2016 Corruption Perception Index isn't worth the paper it's written on."

" Seriously - in my considered opinion - the 2016 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, (which has just placed New Zealand as first equal with Denmark, as 'the least corrupt country in the world'), in my view, isn't worth the paper upon which it is written", says 'anti-corruption campaigner, and Independent Mt Albert by-election candidate Penny Bright.

http://www.transparency.org.nz/images/2017/CPI2016_map%20and%20country%20results_flyout.jpg

"This 'Corruption Perception Index' is not based upon measurable, objective yardsticks - but essentially the subjective opinions of anonymous business people."

"How many people know that for the ten previous occasions that NZ was perceived to be 'the least corrupt' country in the world (sometimes 1st equal) - NZ hadn't even ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)?

(New Zealand didn't ratify UNCAC until 1 December 2015.)

https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CAC/signatories.html

"I've now attended five International Anti-Corruption Conferences, listened to and met experts, read voluminous material and 'put my mind' to the NZ corruption reality, and my opinion is considered."

"In my view, New Zealand is a corrupt, polluted tax haven that needs a massive 'clean up'!"

"How 'independent' is Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ)?

In my considered opinion, Transparency International New Zealand is effectively a New Zealand Government funded, 'mouthpiece'.

'Pay the piper - call the tune'? Look at who 'sponsors' / 'partners' TINZ:

http://www.transparency.org.nz/Partners-and-Sponsors

"If New Zealand was truly 'the least corrupt country in the world' - shouldn't we arguably be the most transparent?

So - why isn't the Public Records Act 2005, being properly and lawfully implemented and enforced?

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2005/0040/latest/DLM345729.html

"17 Requirement to create and maintain records

(1) Every public office and local authority must create and maintain full and accurate records of its affairs, in accordance with normal, prudent business practice, including the records of any matter that is contracted out to an independent contractor.

..."

"So, how come we don't know exactly where billion$ of taxpayer and ratepayer public monies are being spent on private sector consultants and contractors at NZ central and government level?"

"What has anyone from Transparency International New Zealand had to say about the endemic and entrenched bribery and corruption revealed in the unprecedented bribery and corruption conviction of just ONE corrupt 'public official' and just ONE corrupt contractor - where the bribes totalled $1.2 million over 7 years?

"Reasons for the Verdict of Fitzgerald J"

CRI-2015-044-001286

[2016]NZHC2970

THE QUEEN v STEPHEN JAMES BORLASE (&) MURRAY JOHN NOONE

https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/cases/r-v-borlase-reasons/@@images/fileDecision

"How many thousands of 'public officials' and private contractors are there across NZ central and local government?"

"As a genuinely (politically fiercely) independent, self-funded proven
'anti-corruption campaigner' and Independent candidate for the 2017 Mt Albert by-election here is my ACTION PLAN:

"ACTION PLAN TO ENSURE 'OPEN, TRANSPARENT AND DEMOCRATICALLY ACCOUNTABLE' NZ GOVERNMENT AND JUDICIARY":

1) Make ALL 'facilitation payments' illegal.

2) Legislate to create an NZ independent anti-corruption body, tasked with educating the public and preventing corruption.

3) Legislate for NZ Members of Parliament (who make the laws for everyone else) to have a legally enforceable 'Code of Conduct'.

4) Make it an offence under the Local Government Act 2002, for NZ local government elected representatives to breach their 'Code of Conduct'.

5) Make it a lawful, mandatory requirement for Local Government elected representatives to complete a 'Register of Interests' which is available for public scrutiny.

6) Make it a lawful, mandatory requirement for Local Government staff, responsible for property or procurement, to complete a 'Register of Interests' which is available for public scrutiny.

7) Make it a lawful, mandatory requirement for Local Government Council Controlled Organisation (CCO)) Directors and staff, staff, responsible for property or procurement, to complete a 'Register of Interests' which is available for public scrutiny.

8) Fully implement and enforce the Public Records Act 2005, to ensure public records are available for public scrutiny.

9) Make it a lawful requirement that that a 'cost-benefit analysis' of NZ Central Government and Local Government must be undertaken, to prove that private procurement of public services previously provided 'in-house' is cost-effective for the majority of taxpayers and ratepayers.

10) Legislate for a legally enforceable 'Code of Conduct' for members of the NZ Judiciary, to ensure they are not 'above the law'.

11) Legislate to provide a publicly-available NZ Judicial 'Register of Interests', to help prevent 'conflicts of interest'.

12) Ensure ALL Court proceedings are recorded, with audio records available to parties who request them.

13) Legislate for a publicly-available NZ 'Register of Lobbyists' and 'Code of Conduct' for lobbyists.

14) Legislate for a 'post-separation employment' ('revolving door') quarantine period from the time public officials leave the public service, to take up a similar role in the private sector.

15) Legislate to make it a lawful requirement that it is only a binding vote of the public majority that can determine whether public assets held at NZ central or local government are sold, or long-term leased via Public-Private-Partnerships.

16) Legislate to make it unlawful for politicians to knowingly misrepresent their policies prior to central or local government elections.

17. Legislate to protect individuals, NGOs, and community-based organisations, who are 'whistle-blowing' against 'conflicts of interest' and alleged corrupt practices at central and local government level and within the judiciary.

18) Legislate to prevent 'State Capture' - where vested interests get what they want, at the 'policy' level, before laws are passed which serve their vested interests.
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Any of the other Mt Albert by-election candidates got such an 'Action Plan' for transparency and accountability?

Penny Bright

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