8 December 2009 Media release
Ministers break law

Finance Minister Bill English was given a car for his personal use before the regulations were changed to make it legal.

Questioned in Parliament today the Prime Minister confirmed that Mr English had use of the car before May 26th, the date that regulations were changed to allow him to use it in Wellington even though he claims his primary place of residence is Dipton.

Labour MP Pete Hodgson said that the Civil List Act 1979 had been breached.

“All this year we have been told by Mr Key that Mr English broke no law. Well now they both have. Mr Key allowed Mr English to use a car in Wellington, contrary to regulations under the Act. Mr English received the car, contrary to those same regulations.

“Mr Key must live by his own standards. If the issues that swirl around Mr English are to be measured against the letter of the law, then Mr Key needs to apply that standard consistently,” Pete Hodgson said.

ENDS

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