RadioWorks shonky deal should be the last

The final repayment of Steven Joyce’s dodgy loan to RadioWorks is good news but is a reminder that the Government is too willing to do mates’ rates deals, says Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson David Cunliffe.

“The RadioWorks deal smelled from the start. The company was previously part of Steven Joyce’s private radio empire. As Communications Minister, when the company got into trouble, Joyce should have declared a conflict of interest and stepped aside.

“This sorry tale will haunt National, and Steven Joyce in particular, because it shows how this Government are only too happy to do special deals when it suits them.

“Thankfully there hasn’t been major fallout from the RadioWorks loan. But with the SkyCity deal still being investigated by the Auditor General and the Warner Bros pact fouled by the Dotcom scandal, it’s time that National followed proper processes.

“Kiwis have had enough of the government’s secret handshake deals. The fallout from the Dotcom scandal is the payback for the Government. They should think twice next time,” says David Cunliffe.