ACT NZ Party
November 8 2004
PM's Ill-Judgement Costs Taxpayers Dearly
by Dr Muriel Newman
ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and
Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today accused Prime Minister Helen Clark of
wasting taxpayers' money, after a commission of inquiry into police conduct
over the past 20 years started too early.
"In February, the Prime Minister
launched an inquiry into the standards and codes of personal behaviour and
sexual conduct of police officers over the past two decades," Dr Newman
said.
"According to top QC Peter
Williams, the premature timing of the inquiry means that it has been a complete
waste of time, with several former or current officers having been advised not
to take part in case criminal charges could latter be laid against them and
evidence used in the separate police investigation that is currently being
conducted.
"The Prime Minister's decision
to launch the inquiry at this time beggars belief. Unfortunately for the Kiwi
taxpayer, it's them who will have to pay the $183,000 bill for the Prime
Minister's ill-judgement," Dr Newman said.