Serious Fraud Office findings on scampi
Contrary to a New Zealand Herald report today the Government has not "ignored" any advice from the Serious Fraud Office
on the allocation of scampi quota, says Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson.
"The Serious Fraud Office is a law enforcement agency, not a fisheries policy agency. It was asked to look at
allegations of corruption in the Ministry of Fisheries and concluded that there was not a sufficient basis to commence
an investigation. Dealing with such allegations is the SFO's area of expertise and its conclusions on the allegations
are clearly the substance of its findings.
"In advising the Solicitor-General of his conclusions the SFO director said he believed the 'real issue' regarding
scampi was the establishment of a fair means of allocating quota. I agree that allocation, not corruption, is the real
issue. He observed that this was outside his jurisdiction, which is true. He suggested that Crown Law "may well be able
to assist the Ministry", which Crown Law does frequently, including on scampi issues.
"To suggest, as the Herald does, that the SFO director's letter constitutes significant advice on the allocation of
scampi quota that the government has 'ignored and hidden from the public' is simply farcical. He did not give any such
advice and therefore I did not ignore it."