National Party and Oravida is cronyism at its worst
Judith Collins’ visit to the Chinese headquarters of Oravida, a company for which her husband is a director, is further
evidence of the way the National Party looks after its mates rather than the interests of all New Zealanders, Labour MP
Grant Robertson says.
“The facts are that Judith Collins went to China on a taxpayer funded trip, allegedly as Minister of Justice, and
visited the offices of Oravida, a company of which her husband is a director. She was photographed there and quoted on
their website as endorsing their products.
“To most New Zealanders this is a conflict of interest. Ministers know they have an obligation to avoid doing anything
that looks like it will benefit them or their family, and Judith Collins has not met that obligation.
“Oravida is a company with deep links to the National Party. It donated more than $55,000 to the National Party towards
the end of 2011, Party President Peter Goodfellow is acknowledged on the company website as having met with a delegation
linked to Oravida in 2012, and his company, Sanfords, is a partner to Oravdia.
“At the opening of Oravida’s Auckland headquarters in 2013 there were a host of National MPs and party members in
attendance, including Judith Collins who officiated.
“Ms Collins arrogantly dismisses concerns about her behaviour, but New Zealanders rightly expect better than Minister’s
ignoring conflicts of interest and looking after their mates.
John Key told New Zealanders there would be a high standard of behaviour from National Ministers.
“Instead cronyism has become the hallmark of his National government,” Grant Robertson said.
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