Prime Minister John Key says he's comfortable with cabinet minister Chris Finlayson's handling of a pecuniary interest issue raised by Labour, though he has since declared a directorship.Labour MP Trevor Mallard said on his party's Red Alert website that
Prime Minister John Key says he's comfortable with cabinet minister Chris Finlayson's handling of a pecuniary interest issue raised by Labour, though he has since declared a directorship.
Labour MP Trevor Mallard said on his party's Red Alert website that Mr Finlayson had failed to declare his interest as a shareholder and director of a company.
Mr Finlayson said yesterday he didn't declare it because he had no interest in the company, which was a corporate trustee incorporation for a friend's trust.
He said since 2006 he had been a director and shareholder of Te Puhi Trust (2) Ltd with two other people. The incorporation owned no assets and only existed to be a trustee for a family trust that benefited a family and charitable causes, he said. The incorporation's lawyer had validated that position.
Mr Key said today that Mr Finlayson had advised him that he took independent legal advice before he filed his pecuniary interests – something MPs have to do annually.
"He has done that, he has now sought clarification of that position from the registrar and so that is ultimately a matter I'm sure he will reflect on when he gets that advice."
The Registrar of Pecuniary Interests, Dame Margaret Bazley, advised Mr Finlayson to amend his declaration, which he intends to do as soon as possible.
Labour leader Phil Goff said while he didn't know if anyone had been misled, it was for Mr Finlayson to "answer the allegation and come clean on it."
