“The news that Police will investigate donations made to the New Zealand First Foundation is further evidence that the ethical standards in Wellington are dangerously low”, according to ACT Leader David Seymour.
“Last November, I said Police needed to investigate this matter. On Thursday, I claimed there was far too much sleaze in Wellington. ACT has been proven correct on both counts.
“Yesterday, Winston Peters suggested the NZ First Foundation and his political party were connected. But with the news that Police are now investigating, he will almost certainly go back to his earlier position that the Foundation has nothing to do with NZ First.
“It’s a point of pride that we are the least corrupt country in the world. It’s something we should jealously guard. But there is now far too much sleaze in Wellington.
“We’ve got investigations into irregular donations. The Deputy Prime Minister can’t competently fill out his superannuation forms, and there’s the uncomfortable mystery of how this fact became public. Two lobbyists have been employed as ministerial staffers with full access to confidential information while remaining directors of their lobbying firms. The Provincial Growth Fund is practically an invitation to corruption.
“We must change the Government and restore the ethical standards of the world’s least corrupt country.
“Winston Peters doesn’t deserve to be in any Parliament, let alone New Zealand’s.”