Winston wants to get outraged by conflict of interests does he?
I’m sorry, what? Winston is angry about conflicts of interest when it comes to Big Tobacco?
The Ministry of Health has admitted it didn’t tell Associate Health Minister Casey Costello that a staffer working on smoking regulation policy was a relative of Labour’s health spokeswoman Ayesha Verrall.
It said the Ministry of Health staff member followed the conflict-of-interest protocol and it was the responsibility of the ministry to declare the conflict to Costello. The ministry said it has now apologised to Costello “for this oversight”.
“The ministry does have a conflict-of-interest protocol, which is well communicated to all staff and was adhered to by the individual in this case,” said acting director-general Maree Roberts.
“The conflict of interest was not specifically declared to the Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello. This was the responsibility of the Ministry of Health.”
But New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who first revealed Verrall’s relative had been working on the policy in Parliament, told the Herald earlier on Thursday that the staff member should have made the declaration to the minister directly herself.
Oh Winston is concerned about conflicts of interest is he?
What about this Conflict?
What about this Conflict?
And what about this conflict?
Doctors claim NZ First links to big tobacco during heated meeting with minister
Professor Boyd Swinburn, the chairperson of Health Coalition Aotearoa, questioned if the Government’s smokefree repeal had been motivated by pressure from tobacco companies.
Just so we are clear.
PMs sister in law working for Tobacco lobby = no conflict of interest.
NZ First Chief of staff works for Big Tobacco = no conflict of interest.
NZ First Director of Research works for Big Tobacco = no conflict of interest.
Former Tobacco lobbyist Casey Costello gasin $200m sweet heart deal for Big Tobacco = no conflict of interest.
Labour’s Health Spokesperson has a family member inside Ministry of health = total corruption of Western Democracy.
Glad we got that sorted.
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And none of the governments policies are sound and based on evidence. Corrupt to the core.
https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/the-pm-needs-evidence-based-advice-more-than-ever?utm_source=nzh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=nzh-home
Winston Peters has licked Pakeha backside his entire political career
by supporting right wing prejudice, ignorance, entitlement greed and power.
And he’s still licking it geez his tongue must be worn out and brown
Winston gave up smoking. He obviously looked into both sides of the matter health and donations.
Dirty “Winfield” Peters at it again, attacking a public servant who cannot defend themselves publicly.
Just the PM’s sister in law conflict alone outweighs the ‘crime’ of being related to somebody of another party.
Add the NZ First staff that are now working for Tobacco and it becomes rather obvious. This matters because over 200 $mill of tax payers money was earmarked for the Tobacco Industry by this Govt. who at the same time kneecapped a world leading plan to finally sink cigarette use in this country once and for all.
Basically CoC, Mrs Costello and Winston are pissed because they got caught out.
Two faced old coot its ok if it suits his agenda but when some one challenges him he clutches at straws .
This weird government is full of literal butt lickers.
All this is because Dr. Verral reported one of his cronies to the auditor general and the true facts will come out . Winston is becoming a disgrace in parliament and we have another 18 months of tweedle Dee to look forward too
Ha ha . . . well put Martyn. And the puffery he demonstrated in his indignation while releasing this operational level information under the cover of protection of the house – stunning. This arrogance is symptomatic of this government (CoC) and there is sure to be more theatrics and diversions similar to come because the damage occurring right under our noses will take a long time to repair.
Right on, Bob.
Divert, deny, discombobulate.
That’s the CoC style.
We have a massive problem with Winston peters and Gerry Brownley ,there is obvious camaraderie between the 2 of them to the detriment of the parliamentary process. Democracy is almost dead in Aotearoa
The old swamp fox must be feeling the pressure from the other side of the house .Dog lies down with fleas gets up with fleas .The swamp dwellers will soon drown him .
Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.
I see the PM ranting about Verralls distant relation who spoke up at the begining but forgot to mentions Amandas job at big tobacco two faced skin head gang leader .
I get the impression when it comes to Winston Peters that he is Deliberately Selective as to whom he attacks whilst in the Safety Net of this coalition government. At no time has he questioned ANY of the Conflicts of Interest of National, ACT and NZ First MPs but he is ONLY too eager to make an attack of a Ministry of Health Employee because of the links to Labour.
It comes across that Peters is nothing short of a ridiculous excuse of a politician with a vengeful streak of pure nastiness which gains him NO RESPECT or Admiration except amongst his cronies in the coalition government.
Peters was noticeably conspicuous by his lack of condemnation when it turned out Luxon’s OWN SISTER-IN-LAW has links to a Big Tobacco company.
I am sure there is also a Conflict of Interest with Nicola McKee and her support of say the Gun Lobby. Also Nicola Willis’s conflict of interest with family links to the Big Oil companies.
Why doesn’t Peters apply the same amount of attack dog actions on THOSE MPs in the very coalition government he is an MP of???!!!
Long term Peter has turned out to be a Trougher who Uses NZ Taxpayers for HIS OWN PRESTIGE and EGO. But overall he doesn’t care whom he rides roughshod over with his stupid Scare Tactics.
I am SOOOO OVER WINSTON PETERS. But we know the Weakling prime minister of New Zilland(as John Key called this country)will never hold Peters to account. Luxon is too busy being on Overseas Junkets to Care about NZ and Its WORKERS(who are also VOTERS).
He has been making outrageous claims about skuldugery for as long as I can remember .Not one claim has been proven .
For sure. Do you remember his Winebox allegations?
Winston Peters lacks a Moral Compass. Back in the 90s after he created NZ First and in the lead up to, from memory, the 1996 election he swore that he would NOT enter into a coalition government with National. And so my now late parents and I were taken in by that rhetoric of his. But once the votes were counted that is exactly what he did.
After that self serving action by Peters he for-ever ensured neither my parents or I would ever vote for him or anyone calling themselves a NZ First politician.
I don’t trust Winston Peters or ANY NZ First MP because their very leader showed by example how easy it is to Lie and Get Away with their actions but it cost the NZ Taxpayers so much in the long run.
As foreign affairs minister he should be making his skin head gang leader go to the village in samoa to do some damage control .He should also be send the same bald prick and his failed finance minister on a one way trip to Korea to explain why she stupidly cancelled the ship deal and maybe grovel for for givenes and get the deal restarted .