INDEPENDENT NEWS

Mallard Treats Taxpayers' Money With Contempt

Published: Mon 29 Nov 2004 12:42 AM
Mallard Treats Taxpayers' Money With Contempt
Monday 29 Nov 2004
Deborah Coddington - Press Releases -Education
ACT Education Spokesman Deborah Coddington today called on Trevor Mallard to recover taxpayers' money poured into a Maori wanaga in Waitakere, in light of the local council's decision to recoup a $2 million loan it made to the Waipareira Trust for the land it was to be built on.
"Since 2001, the Labour Government has forked out $600,000 to Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples to put together a business plan and curriculum for the proposed wanaga," Miss Coddington said.
"I warned Mr Mallard in September that the wanaga was in trouble and asked whether he would take action to recover the money paid to Dr Sharples. He ruled out recouping the money and couldn't even give me a deadline for when the curriculum would be completed.
"The Minister's lack of accountability for taxpayers' money beggars belief. For all New Zealanders know, the $600,000 given to Dr Sharples could have been spent setting up the Maori Party.
"Trevor Mallard must get his head out of the sand and take action to protect our money before it's too late. Simply fobbing off my questions and hoping the problem will go away won't work," Miss Coddington said.
ENDS

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media