Team Key: A 1st XV of Shame
Today's news of another National MP in trouble for the use of expenses adds another depressing name to Team Key's roll
call of shame, Labour MP Grant Robertson said.
"It seems that every day New Zealanders wake up to find another member of John Key's government indulging in arrogant
behaviour, rorts, dodgy deals and conflicts of interest. Today it is backbencher Paul Foster- Bell, who knows who it
will betomorrow? New Zealanders have a right to expect better of their government.
“John Key told New Zealanders that his government would set new standards for Ministerial behaviour. He didn’t say they
would be record low standards.
“Every time we see another example of Team Key arrogance and disregard for the law, John Key tries to brush it off with
another excuse.
“Gerry Brownlee’s ’gate-gate’ is just the latest in a long run of Ministers and MPs in John Key’s government who are so
arrogant and out-of-touch they believe they are above the law or any responsibility for their actions.
“Gerry Brownlee’s so-called lack of judgement cannot be explained away or excused. No New Zealander who has ever caught
a plane will believe Gerry Brownlee’s story this morning that he didn’t realise he had skipped airport security until he
got back to his office.
“Team Key is turning into a first fifteen of arrogance, rorts, conflicts of interest and dodgy deals.
• John Banks
• Judith Collins
• Peter Dunne
• Murray McCully
• Gerry Brownlee
• Jonathan Coleman
• Maurice Williamson
• Amy Adams
• Nick Smith
• Pansy Wong
• Richard Worth
• Phil Heatley
• Claudette Hauiti
• Aaron Gilmore
• Paul Foster-Bell
“The Electoral Commission fear there will be a record low voter turnout again this year. That is no surprise given the
high-handed and arrogant attitude of this National Government. Why should New Zealanders believe in the power of a
government to help them, when all this Government is interested in is helping themselves?
“National MPs should not be above the rules. What would happen to anyone else who tried to get around airport security
because they were late for their plane? What other public official would get off Scott free after using a taxpayer
funded trip to benefit their husband's company?
“John Key’s attempt to distance himself from the selfish and self-serving behaviour just does not wash. He is the
Leader, and he is ultimately responsible for Team Key’s roll call of shame,” says Grant Robertson.