Schmoozed Ministers will have final sign off on banking contract

The Government needs to front with some clear answers about whether or not Ministers who have been schmoozed by Westpac will be signing off the Government’s master banking contract, Green Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

Today during Parliament’s Question Time the Prime Minister told Dr Norman that Government Ministers would make the final decision on the Government’s master banking contract after recommendations from the Ministry of Economic Development. Last week the Prime Minister stated that Treasury was responsible for making the final decision about the Government’s master banking contract. The contract is currently held by Westpac.

“Mr Key was last week relaxed about his Ministers and their staff accepting corporate hospitality from Westpac,” said Dr Norman.

“Mr Key told the media that Treasury would be responsible for the final decision on the contract.

“Today in the House Mr Key clearly stated that Ministers would have the final sign off.

“The Key Government should close down the cosy arrangement between Westpac’s corporate hospitality arm and Government Ministers and their staff.

“The public also deserve transparency around the amount of hospitality and free gifts corporates give to Ministers and their staff.”

“This is not just a situation that has developed under the current National Government,” said Dr Norman.

“I note the deafening silence from Labour over the dubious practice of Ministers and their staff receiving corporate hospitality from Westpac.”

Note: Answers to Green Party written questions show Ministers and staff from the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Economic Development’s offices have taken advantage of Westpac’s corporate hospitality.

Link to WQ’s:

http://www.greens.org.nz/misc-documents/transcript-westpac-questions-written-answer