Greenpeace says a new report in which New Zealand has slipped further down the corruption rankings highlights the conflicts of interest at the heart of the Luxon government.
It follows a report by Transparency International in which New Zealand’s Corruptions Perceptions Index score has fallen by two points for the fourth consecutive year.
“It’s not surprising that this report has picked up on a lack of transparency over lobbying and political donations,” says Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director Dr Russel Norman.
“There is a profound conflict of interest at the heart of this Government and it is this: Chris Bishop is the Minister responsible for deciding which businesses get access to the fast-track process, AND he’s also National’s Campaign Committee Chair responsible for drumming up campaign donations.
“Bishop makes decisions about fast-tracking projects, and these projects have, so far, been linked to entities and individuals which have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to National, Act and New Zealand First. That’s a clear conflict of interest at the heart of the Luxon government and it’s no wonder that New Zealand’s reputation is continuing its slide.
“Such donations will, as the report says, chip away at transparency and integrity at the heart of public life and therefore public trust in government.”
