There is no secret that Act Party MP David Garrett has been representing Commander Lupeti Vi, head of the Ports Of Tonga Authority, at the Royal Commission Inquiry into the Sinking of the Princess Ashika. Having now read some of the transcripts of the Inquiry, I feel a vague sense of unease about a New Zealand Member of Parliament playing such a significant role in such a major inquiry. Given the position Mr Garrett’s client holds I think there is a real question about the judgement in taking on this brief. What do others think?
Yeah I feel a bit of unease too. I can’t believe this hasn’t been on the news or in the newspaper.
The rest is way off thread and has been on other blogs. Trevor
Is the concern that Mr Garrett is working at all? Or that he is working at the Royal Commission? Or that he is representing Commander Vi?
It’s certainly seems unusual (I don’t know enough about other MPs now and in the past, but I imagine it is unusual), but I don’t have a problem with it. Thanks in particular for the link to the transcript.
In a sense, I suppose this could be seen as a form of foreign aid (particularly, of course, if Garrett isn’t charging, or isn’t charging much). We lend our judges to the Islands (although I assume Warwick Andrew is Australian), and have provided people from TAIC to assist this inquiry. I would have been unconcerned – indeed pleased – had an MP like Bob Clarkson given up some of his summer break to work in Samoa re-building houses or schools after the tsunami, and don’t see too much of a problem with different MPs using their skills to help out our neighbours. This sort of inquiry is rare in New Zealand, so there probably aren’t a great many native Tongan lawyers skilled in this sort of advocacy (and I imagine those that are will be representing others involved). Any assistance we can provide is good, and from the transcript Garrett appears to be performing his task ably.
If this was interfering with his Parliamentary work, there might be a problem, but to be honest, I’m not even sure about that.
undercharging or not charging for a service is a problem in itself as it creates a potential conflict of interest! how can he do his job if he’s abroad?
If Mr Garrett was providing assistance to the Tongan government in a matter where he had a particular expertise then I wouldn’t have this sense of unease, which is all I am questioning at present. He is not assisting the inquiry at all; he is representing one of the witnesses, who has been called to give evidence to the inquiry and I am asking whether that is appropriate as a New Zealand Member of Parliament. I have no idea whether he is being paid by the Ports of Tonga Authority – in many respects that’s not the issue – but even if he is not it could hardly be called a form of foreign aid as he is not there to assist the inquiry.
Okay. I just wasn’t sure of your particular concern (there were a few to choose from).
I guess reading my comment it’s not clear that (from the transcript) I am aware of the role Garrett is playing in the inquiry. And although this isn’t assisting the Tongan Government or people directly, I don’t think we can say it’s not indirect. Just about any New Zealand qualified professional (or tradesman) working in the Pacific Islands – even entirely for profit – is going to be of benefit to the country they’re in. A New Zealand builder who sets up a business in Tonga – even though working entirely for profit – is good for Tonga (providing local jobs, passing on expertise etc.). I’d probably say the same thing if Garrett was defending (or prosecuting) someone in some rare (for Tonga) type of criminal proceeding.
I don’t have too much of a problem, if any, with MPs having outside interests. Indeed, historically it would have been expected. Even now, a number of MPs have farms, and I believe Bob Clarkson still had an operating construction business while an MP, etc. In much the same way as private overseas travel by MPs is seen of being a benefit to New Zealand (MPs with broader understanding of the world, overseas contacts and networks, etc), I think having MPs with a foot in the real world can only open their eyes. That Garrett’s outside interests are in a Pacific nation is only to our and their benefit.
If Garrett starts asking questions in the House about this matter then I’d have a concern, but having someone in Parliament this year who spent a month working in Tonga over summer – understanding the local environment generally, building further networks, etc – can only be good for Parliament. Far from being a concern, it would be great to see other MPs doing the same.
If ACT party mp David Garrett is using his postion as an MP to benifit himself over this then he needs to be called to account regardless of his stance towards Tonga.
So you have to ask the question, is he helping others or just helping himself.
act mps are always troffing and double dipping
I’m, more than anything, surprised to see an MP working over Christmas!
Sorry, know I’m gonna get flamed on that one, but couldn’t resist!
Anything to keep him out of the country and therefore out of appearing drunk on late-night news shows?
I believe in the UK (Mother of Parliments) it is very common for MPs to work
Certainly those who are not in Cabinet
Of course there are a larger numbers and the MPs direct wages mean they have to to keep their heads above water
But then the allowance scandals kick in
.. and why would any MP continue paying membership fees for any profession unless there was a general acceptance of working interests outside of the House. Ministers of course cannot normally undertake any paid work (Cabinet Manual 2.54)
@Graeme – Obviously I cannot comment on the likely outcome of the Inquiry, but it is clear that the Port Authority is coming under scrutiny for what it’s role was in the matter. How would we feel if an Australian MP came to NZ and represented one of the Auckland Hospital Board in the Cervical Cancer Inquiry on the basis that he used to represent the Board before he became an MP in Australia? As I said it’s a sense of disquiet I have and I have raised it here to get feedback.
@Sam from all accounts he behaves no differently in his off duty hours whether or not he is in New Zealand.
Lucky for ACT there are less cameras in Tonga I suppose.