Ministers in customs row

Press, 19 April 1982, Page 8

Ministers in customs row

NZPA ’ Canberra The Australian Federal Opposition yesterday called for the sacking of both the Health Minister (Mr Michael MacKellar) and the Business and Consumer Affairs Minister (Mr John Moore) over what has become -known as “the colour television affair." Mr MacKellar admitted on Saturday that he had brought a SNZ3’4O combined colour television-cassette and radio unit through Sydney customs on October 5 last year without paying the required duty. The Health Minister also admitted that a member of his staff had signed the Minister's name to a customs declaration form which did not declare the colour set. Among his other admissions. Mr MacKellar said he was not aware that there was a duty on colour televisions nor had he read the false customs declaration. Mr Moore on his part admitted that the secretary, of his department at the time. Mr Tim Besley, had told him about the incident on the day Mr MacKellar arrived and that he had that day told Mr MacKellar of the seriousness of making a false declaration. However, Mr Moore had

“subsequently” decided that that should be the end of the matter. Mr MacKellar on Saturday took full responsibility for the false declaration which he said was a genuine mistake but maintained that he had not been trying to evade duty on'the set which he had been carrying openly. Mr MacKellar denied that he had used his position as a Minister to ensure an unhindered passage through customs.