30 April 2002
It’s Not Jim’s Fault!!!! It’s…It’s…It’s…… His Secretary’s Fault!
New Zealand First is appalled that Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton is attempting to avoid responsibility for passing
off a piece of art as his own because his secretary drew it.
Mr Anderton this afternoon in Parliament blamed his secretary and clearly implied that she had deceived him into
believing he was only autographing a cartoon she had drawn.
“Even if we believe the Deputy Prime Minister then this is a despicable action from Mr Anderton. Mr Anderton is now
quite prepared to let his staff carry the can for everything that goes on in his office. The truth is that the Deputy
Prime Minister is himself responsible for what goes in and out of his office, and to now blame his own secretary is
appalling.
“This of course follows the trend from this Government. In the last few days the Prime Minister and the Minister of
Maori affairs have likewise passed the buck onto the employment agency responsible for hiring John Davy.
“Again, it seems in this government ministers are only responsible for good news.
ENDS