2 May 2002
PM Unsurprised About National/Act’s Opposition To Openness About MPs’ Interests
Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that she was not surprised that neither National nor Act are prepared to back
transparency for MPs through the register of interests for all MPs.
“National’s hypocrisy is particularly gross when its members have been prepared to make declarations of interest during
their time as ministers.
“What the public wants to know is whether MPs have outside interests and earnings which could amount to a conflict of
interest or impact on their ability to do their job as a full-time Member of Parliament.
“MPs should not only be free of conflicts of interest, but they should also be seen to be free of conflicts of interest.
“Given that these right wing parties are not prepared to back these proposals through changes to Parliament’s Standing
Orders, Labour looks forward in government to legislating on this in the public interest,” Helen Clark said.