Hon. Tony Ryall MP
National Party Immigration Spokesman
13 September 2005
Clark should explain Field allegations
National’s Immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall, says Helen Clark should be explaining allegations around Associate Pacific
Island Affairs Minister Taito Philip Field.
He is commenting on reports that Mr Field sought help from Associate Immigration Minister Damien O’Connor to grant work
permits for an overstayer and his wife. The man apparently had done some work on Mr Field’s house in Samoa.
“These suggestions are incredibly concerning,” Mr Ryall says.
“If a Minister did get cheap services in return for supporting a work visa, then that is unprecedented. This would go to
the heart of ministerial conflict of interest.
“Helen Clark should be explaining what her minister has been up to.
“And if Mr Field did not tell Mr O’Connor of the full circumstances around his representation, then that is very
worrying.
“What would be appropriate now would be an independent investigation by a judge,” Mr Ryall says.
ENDS