Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
20 March 2013
Christchurch Rebuild Hampered by Widespread Fraud
New Zealand First is accusing the Government of dithering over wide-scale fraud associated with the Christchurch
rebuild.
It is understood that fraudulent activity includes the deliberate over payment of contractors, and full payments to
contractors for work not done or incomplete.
Rt Hon Winston Peters says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee admitted in Parliament today under questioning
from New Zealand First that he was aware of fraudulent activity.
“Why has the Minister not shared this information with the public so the public can help catch these criminals?
“It is time he stood up and revealed the extent of fraud currently under investigation which is estimated to be between
$130 million and $250 million.”
Mr Peters is also asking why Fletchers is scoping the work house by house then signing invoices off for payment without
even checking if the work has been done.
“The Minister should also clearly outline to what extent lead contractor Fletchers involvement is in any fraudulent
activity.
“The $30 billion-plus rebuild of Christchurch has the potential for massive fraud if appropriate structure and process
aren’t in place.
“But instead the Government is treating us all like mushrooms by keeping us in the dark as fraudsters eye up hundreds of
millions of taxpayer dollars,” says Mr Peters
ENDS