The Auditor-General Lyn Provost has decided that the Shane Jones/Bill Liu affair warrants investigation; check this out:
Inquiry into citizenship decision
30 May 2012The Auditor-General, Lyn Provost, has decided to carry out an inquiry into the decision by the former Associate Minister of Immigration, Mr Shane Jones, to grant citizenship to Mr Yong Ming Yan (also known as Yang (Bill) Liu).This document sets out the terms of reference for the inquiry.Background
Mr Yan was granted permanent residency in 2002 and subsequently applied for citizenship. The Minister of Internal Affairs decides whether to grant citizenship, supported by the Department of Internal Affairs. Mr Jones, as the Minister who dealt with the application, approved Mr Yan’s application for citizenship in 2008.The Leader of the Opposition, Mr David Shearer, has asked the Auditor-General to carry out an inquiry into the probity of the decision to grant citizenship to Mr Yan. We have agreed to do so. The inquiry is being undertaken with the agreement of Mr Jones.The inquiry
The inquiry will examine:
- the policies and practices of the Department of Internal Affairs when advising the Minister on applications for citizenship, in particular where the applicant’s ‘good character’ is in question;
- how and why the Minister decided to grant citizenship to Mr Yan; and
- any other matters the Auditor-General considers it desirable to report on.
Francis Cooke QC has been appointed to lead the inquiry, which is being carried out under sections 16 and 18(1) of the Public Audit Act 2001. We will publish a report when the inquiry is completed.
Interestingly, The A-G's inquiry includes the "how and why" of the decision itself, not just the process as requested by David Shearer. And it will be interesting to see whether anything fits in to the "any other matters" category, the blanket clause in the Terms of Reference.
8 comments:
As Imperator Fish has pointed out:
http://www.imperatorfish.com/2012/05/yes-this-is-just-same.html
The Shane Jones affair has a lot of similarities with the John Banks affair. And yet, one of the two is still a minister.
Don't mention John Banks, Alex; it upsets IV2.
Can we mention Parata? Nick Smith? Coleman? McCully? Are there any Nat MPs that aren't in disgrace at the moment?
Now, RG, Nikki Kaye is doing OK, but, then, she's seen as far too Left by most National members...
Let the AG investigate. It's a good idea to have a once over, as I've argued before. I expect that it will turn up nothing much, and this will fade away.
@ Alex - similarities, or differences? Banks was not even a Member of Parliament when his alleged wrongdoing was committed, whereas the Jones case centres on a decision by a Minister.
@ Robert W - Indeed let the A-G investigate. And it is pleasing that the Terms of Reference are wider than those proposed by Mr Shearer, and that the decision itself will be under scrutiny.
I actually like Shane Jones, and would not be unhappy if he were cleared; but the big issue is the integrity of the system by which citizenship is awarded. That is far more important than political concerns IMHO.
"Banks was not even a Member of Parliament when his alleged wrongdoing was committed..."
Yes he was, remember? He was a Minister in the Key government when he told repeated lies to the public over his relationship to Dotcom. Helicopter rides, birthday parties, fireworks displays, all in 20 minutes. Key's too cowardly to deal with it though.
Is there any evidence that the person in question was given anything in return his donations to the politician or party?
Banks: No
Jones: Yes
Cash. For. Citizenship.
"Cash. For. Citizenship."
Sorry, what's the evidence to support this allegation? All you have are guesses and sly insinuations fomented in your febrile mind.
Anyway, no one's suggested Banks promised anything to Dotcom, although he may well have. The point at issue is his appalling unethical conduct and lie, both of which are facts, not guesses. See the difference?
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