Minister's Refusal to Answer Raises Real Concern
Thursday, October 4 2001 Richard Prebble Press Releases -- Justice, Law & Order
The Police Minister's failure to answer my question regarding two Afghans in Paremoremo Prison, is reason for real
concern, ACT leader Richard Prebble says.
"Until the Minister refused to answer, I was sceptical that the two men held in prison could be commanders in the
Taleban," Mr Prebble said.
"I can't see why the Minister didn't just issue a simple denial. Under parliamentary rules, Ministers are not bound by a
court suppression order and, if he could have answered the question, he should have.
"The only conclusion I can draw is that either there is some truth in the Australian story, and the public and
parliament are being kept in the dark, or alternatively the Minister of Police was being remarkably arrogant," Mr
Prebble said.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.