6 November 2013

Privileges complaint laid against John Banks

The Green Party has today laid a privileges complaint against ACT Party leader Hon John Banks, following his decision not to declare his conflict of interest in relation to SkyCity Casino before voting on the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) Bill last night.

“Mr Banks has a clear and present conflict of interest in relation to the NZICC Bill that should have been declared in the House,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today.

“Mr Banks’ political career hangs on the outcome of the upcoming criminal case against him, which centres on donations given to his 2010 Mayoral campaign including a $15,000 donation from SkyCity Casino Ltd.

“Voting for this bill, while at the same time facing criminal charges directly linked to SkyCity, is a clear conflict of interest. Mr Banks should have abstained from this vote, or at the very least, declared his interest in the House before voting.

“I have asked Speaker David Carter to rule on whether Mr Banks’ failure to declare this conflict of interest is a matter of Privilege.

“Mr Banks needs to do the right thing and abstain from voting on the remaining stages of this Bill. MPs have previously abstained from voting for much less serious conflicts of interest.”

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