Collins visit to Oravida planned weeks in advance

Judith Collins’ visit to the Shanghai office of her husband’s company was the subject of a formal invitation weeks in advance, not the casual drop in she’s claimed, Labour MP Grant Robertson says.

“Judith Collins and John Key have been claiming for a week that she just ‘popped into’ Oravida on the way to the airport. This is far from the truth.

“The reality is she was formally invited two weeks earlier. This was a well-planned photo opportunity for a company that Judith Collins had a close connection to, not the casual glass of milk she has claimed.

“The invitation from managing director Stone Shi makes clear Judith Collins was being invited in her capacity as a minister. It gives a specific day for the visit as part of her ‘official trip’.

“Strangely Judith Collins’ report on her trip fails to mention her visit to Oravida. This is despite her report on her June visit to China noting companies she had met with.

“I think Judith Collins knew she had a conflict of interest and wanted to cover up the visit. She has arrogantly dismissed concerns about her trip.

“John Key owes it to New Zealand taxpayers to take some action against Judith Collins to send a message that he expects high standards from his ministers. Failure to do so will show how out of touch National has become,” Grant Robertson says.

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