The S-Files

S-Award given to Rodney Hide, ACT Leader

Contra Celsum is pleased to nominate Rodney Hide for an S-Award for doggedly pursuing allegations of serious corruption within the Parliament.

Citation:


1. Yesterday, Rodney Hide sought to ask a parliamentary question alleging corruption of the most serious kind against MP Winston Peters.

2. In 2003 and 2004 Mr Peters was involved in a parliamentary committee investigating the fishing industry, in particular the scampi fisheries, reported to be worth over $150 million. Scampi (large prawns) were to be brought into the quota system. Allocations of quota would be based upon the existing catches of existing fishing companies. Simunovich Fisheries, according to Peters, had been involved in illegal activity, engaging in standover tactics against their competitors, trying to drive them out of business, to ensure they ended up with a much larger market share, and would be awarded a larger initial quota. False reporting and record keeping was also alleged.

There were allegations of intimidation, threats, blackmail, as well as crimes on the high seas. However, later in the deliberations of the parliamentary committee, Peters withdrew his allegations of illegality and inappropriate behaviour against Simunovich, stating that there was no substance to them. No-one at the time could explain or understand this volte face.

3. In the House yesterday, Hide, in seeking to ask his question, referred to sworn affidavits recently lodged with the Serious Fraud Office testifying against Winston Peters. These affidavits were signed by people involved at the time. They allege that Peters had gone to Simunovich Fisheries, told them he had the “dirt” on them, but promised them if they “donated” $50,000 to NZ First, he would make sure the dirt never saw the light of day, and that the allegations went away. Money was subsequently paid across in “filtered” cheques of less than $10,000 (thereby falling below the bar required for disclosure of gifts.)

4. Mr Hide was ordered from the Chamber by the Speaker, Margaret Wilson on a technicality, provoked by Peters claiming that all these matters were sub-judicae, and therefore could not be raised in the House. Mr Hide was not able to ask his question.

The allegations assert corruption of the most serious kind of our democracy. If true, we would have witnessed a level of perversion and undermining of government and the rule of law in our country never, ever before seen. It is urgently incumbent upon every member of the House to strive energetically and work diligently to see that these matters are investigated thoroughly, and either proved or disproved.

If proved true, a great cleansing reformation of Parliament and its personnel is required. Mr Peters needs to be sentenced to a long prison term—together with his co-conspirators. If proved incorrect those swearing false allegations need to be brought to account, and Mr Peters needs to be publicly vindicated by the entire house of Parliament, Mr Hide included. This must be done without fear or favour. It must be done without concern or regard for party or political advantage. It must be done to protect and defend lawful government in New Zealand.

We find, however, the opposite—which makes this a day of great national shame. Labour is continuing to protect Mr Peters, running parliamentary interference for him. He is, after all, a coalition partner of the government. National is afraid of offending Mr Peters, lest they need to depend upon him for coalition negotiations after the election. Politics and power are apparently more important than the integrity and sanctity of the highest court in the land. The minor parties, apart from Act, are largely deafeningly silent. All parties, all members, and all leaders—apart from Mr Hide, with some support from Russell Brown (of the Greens) and Gerry Brownlee and Bill English (of National)—are proving daily that they are unworthy of the trust placed in them by New Zealand men and women.

Contempt of court is a crime that strikes at the fundaments of the rule of law. That is why it is dealt with in such a direct and summary manner. When the highest court in the land shows contempt for itself, the people must rise up against it, and cast the offending members out—all of them. Be warned. By your actions over the next few days, you will be known and judged.

Rodney Hide, Leader of the Act Party: S-Award, Class I for actions in the course of duty that have been Smart, Sound, and Salutary. Thank you for your respect for Parliament—and therefore for the people of New Zealand.