Jenny Shipley denies conflict
A hot denial of conflict of interest over her Mainzeal directorship.
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Hawke’s Bay
Dame Jenny Shipley has issued a hot denial of conflict of interest over her Mainzeal directorship.
The accusations were fired in parliament yesterday by NZ First Leader Winston Peters.
He says her role as a director of Mainzeal conflicts with her position on the review board of the Canterbury Earthquake Authority.
The former National prime minister hired PR spin doctor Bill Ralston to write a media statement on her behalf refuting the accusation.
In a statement she says she "absolutely rejects" suggestions that her role in the CERA Review Panel – paying $1000 per day – constituted any conflict of interest due to her former role with the Mainzeal companies.
“The CERA Review Panel, of which I am a member, reviews proposed variations to rules, regulations and the law in relation to the Christchurch emergency powers and has no connection at all with the commercial letting of contracts,” she says.
“Accordingly, there is no potential for conflict of interest whatsoever.
“For the record, I have never claimed any fees or expenses for my CERA panel work because I felt that sharing my experience in this way was something I could contribute to Christchurch post earthquake.”
Dame Jenny enjoys $109,832 fees as Genesis Energy chairman.
Her directorship at Mainzeal ended when she and fellow board members, ex-Brierley chief executive Paul Collins and Clive Tibby, quietly resigned in January.
Chris Hutching
Thu, 14 Feb 2013
Thu, 14 Feb 2013
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Jenny Shipley denies conflict
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