Anderton Must Reveal Slush Fund Details After Paua Scandal Exposed

ACT New Zealand Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide today said it was imperative that Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton reveal who had been the beneficiaries of his secret million-dollar slush fund.

"It is clear that releasing the details would be embarrassing for Mr Anderton, but taxpayers have the right to know how he is spending their money," Mr Hide said.

"For example, last night, TVNZ's Sunday programme revealed that the New Zealand Trade Commission had financed the Chinese receiver of black market New Zealand paua to come to this country and be wined and dined at the taxpayers' expense.

"The Commission has been assisting the very activities that we should be stamping out. It's obvious why Mr Anderton is not telling Parliament how he has spent the money.

"Since 2000, Mr Anderton has spent $1.04 million flying foreign businessmen to New Zealand under his Visiting Investor Programme. To date, he has refused to reveal the identity of any of these investors.

"In light of these new revelations - and Mr Anderton's dodgy track record - it is imperative that these details are made public. Taxpayers deserve to know how he is spending their money. The fact that he hasn't released the details begs the question: what's he trying to hide?" Mr Hide said.

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