NZ First Party
Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins, Grant Roberston, and Ayesha Verrall have all colluded and decided to decline to give evidence at the COVID-19 Royal Commission public hearings.
The 'Podium of Truth' has become the 'Podium of Evasion'.
These former ministers do not want to sit in a public hearing and answer the hard questions that every New Zealander deserves to know.
If ever there was a definition for "a different kind of 'abuse of' power" this is it.
New Zealand First demanded a second inquiry to ensure there was public accountability for the decisions made during the pandemic.
These former Labour ministers are undermining the entire action and purpose of the inquiry to avoid public scrutiny.
The Royal Commission has stated today that "the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant event that affected every New Zealander…we remain of the view that the public being able to see former ministers questioned about those decisions at a public hearing of a Royal Commission of Inquiry would significantly enhance public confidence in our process."
Those former Labour Ministers have shown they care nothing about public confidence, and worse, are treating the entire public with distain and contempt.
The Royal Commission has stated that the refusal of former ministers, in this case, to attend the public hearing is a refusal to answer questions in a public hearing.
Those former ministers were at the heart of decisions that affected hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. Cost livelihoods, careers, businesses, connection with families, and had a disastrous effect on the economy and future of our country - yet they refuse to be held to account.
The public deserve an answer about why they are refusing to be held publicly to account.
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