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 for 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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