‘Unwritten convention’ worries Mr Laking
PA Wellington The absence in New Zealand of any legal definition of what has been termed “the unwritten convention,” providing for confidentiality in the exchange of advice between officials and Cabinet Ministers, troubles the Chief Ombudsman, Mr George Laking. In a recent radio interview with the 8.8. C., Mr Laking said he believed this issue raised “profound” constitutional issues which would take some years to determine. * The issue was raised as a central point in his report on a request by the “Evening Post” for the exchange of letters and appendices between the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, and the Reserve Bank.
Mr Laking said: “I am unable to accept the proposition that any such convention, however it is defined, requires that all advice in all circumstances, when tendered by officials to Ministers, is confidential.”§
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Press, 10 January 1984, Page 7
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140‘Unwritten convention’ worries Mr Laking Press, 10 January 1984, Page 7
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