Prebble Welcomes Privileges Inquiry Into Waipareira Trust
ACT Leader Richard Prebble today said that he welcomes the suggestion that Parliament's powerful Privileges Committee
look into the Waipareira Trust.
"I will be writing to the Speaker saying that I stand by the statements I have made in Parliament and I support the
proposal that the Privileges Committee examine the serious allegations of financial misconduct against the Trust.
"I had, myself, considered laying a complaint against Mr Tamihere's claim in Parliament that the Trust's accounts are in
good shape and available for scrutiny. According to the Chief Executive the accounts are in a mess and the Trust had
refused to make public any document.
"The Privileges Committee does have the power to investigate the truth of the allegations that are being made by Maori
against the Trust. We can call these people to give evidence on oath and the Committee can also subpoena documents. I am
prepared to put in front of the Committee the extensive range of documents which ACT has received, including the
material which ACT has forwarded to the Police and the Auditor General.
"The Committee's examination will also enable me to refute Mr Tamihere's claim that these allegations are creations of
ACT and made for racist reasons. Every one of the allegations are being made by Maori and none have been made up by ACT.
"The ACT Party is on record as having supported the concept of community based programmes such as the Waipareira Trust.
We continue to support community providers of social services but ACT recognises that it's taxpayer funds and these
private providers such as the Waipareira Trust must be accountable for their actions," said Hon Richard Prebble.
ENDS