Crusher Collins conflict of interest seems as large as her interest in conflict

By
Martyn Bradbury
-
12
13

hulkcollins
Crusher angry. Crusher smash conflict.

How on earth is this not a conflict of interest?

Collins says Oravida visit not conflict of interest
Judith Collins went on a taxpayer-funded visit to China last year. In her public role as Justice Minister, she was there to talk about our system.

But she was also welcomed into a New Zealand export company that her husband has a private interest in.

She says the purpose of her visit was “to actually have a cup of tea on the way to the airport”.

Ms Collins’ husband, David Wong-Tung, is one of three directors of Oravida – a milk and food export company.

On its website the company referred to her as the Justice Minister. It says she recognised the company’s efforts, and “congratulated us on what we have achieved and encouraged us to continue”.

Ms Collins also opened the company’s Auckland headquarters last year, with Mr Wong-Tung standing behind her. She says it is not an issue that she was effectively promoting the company where her husband is a director.

Why isn’t this getting as much coverage as Cunliffe’s supposed betrayal of democracy?

Judith Collins can’t wave her connection with her husbands company around much more than adding her name and posting photos with a promotional gulp of milk to support the product.

What does the Cabinet Manuel have to say?

“a conflict may arise if people close to a minister, such as a minister’s family […] might derive, or be perceived as deriving, some personal, financial, or other benefit from a decision or action by the minister”.

It also says.

“When accepting an invitation, a minister should inform the organisation that it may not use any photos taken of the minister at the event in a way that could be perceived as an endorsement by the minister.”

There’s not really much wriggle room here is there?

Nothing highlights the double standards within the media better than the difference in exposure between Cunliffe’s sins and what seems to be a Judith’s massive conflict of interest.

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12 COMMENTS

  1. Her arrogance beguiles me?
    I think why there is no coverage is the age old media bias by the owners of the sensationalism carnival – no mystery really.
    Will she be crushed by the weight of her own ego ? I hope so…

  2. Wouldn’t it just be brilliant to think that after the election New Zealand could become a Democracy again after all this time where the ‘people(pawns)’ have had no part to play, utterly ignored as this neo-liberal, uncaring, undemocratic government has spent the last five plus years shuffling around their financial moves on their giant money-making, money-raking chessboard. Even in chess the pawns have some tiny part to play. 🙁

  4. This is what’s on offer from Natz attack dogs in today’s Herald, not a word on “Crusher”, unless Rudman is making an oblique reference to her with his attack on pit bulls.
    John Armstrong: Two Cunliffe mea culpas in four days smacks of clumsiness
    Fran O’Sullivan: Key makes right call over Ukraine
    Brian Rudman: Dog-law emphasis on owner rights is barking mad

  6. And what about the $55,000 donation Collins’ husband’s company Oravida made to National? Something else msn is quiet on!

  7. Of cause its a major conflict of interest
    Look closely at many things with National and China and
    The word corruption must be asked
    But since Key just shrugs and says aw shucks who are
    “Our” media to question?

  8. According to Key, he has received advice that there was no conflict of interest. Would that advice be available under the Official Information Act?

Comments are closed.