M.P. denies assistance from regional development council

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 40

M.P. denies assistance from regional development council

By

PETER LUKE

political reporter

The member of Parliament for Waitaki, Mr Jim Sutton, has denied that he used his membership of a regional development council for personal gain. He was replying to an allegation flung across the House on Tuesday evening by his elected neighbour, Mr Maurice McTigue (Nat., Timaru). Mr Sutton had not been in the House at the time. He returned later and was given permission to make a personal explanation.

“Neither I, nor any member of my immediate family have ever had any regional development assistance nor, as far as I

am aware, has any business with which I am associated,” Mr Sutton said. He invited Mr McTigue to table any information he had which showed otherwise. Mr McTigue did not spell out the precise nature of his allegation, which occurred during a stormy debate over regional development estimates, and was followed by a flurry of points of order. Mr McTigue, late on Tuesday evening, made his own personal explanation to the House and expanded his allegation. He claimed that Mr Sutton, as a member of a regional development council, had been aware

of an application from a Timaru constituent to seek council funding to import cattle embryos. Mr Sutton had made representations which attempted to influence the decision on the importation of cattle embryos. Mr McTigue claimed that Mr Sutton was a breeder of the same cattle and as he could have received a benefit, should have declared an interest. This information had been given to Mr McTigue outside council meetings and had not breached the confidentiality. Mr McTigue added that if the information was incorrect he would withdraw and apologise.