Shane Jones
The Auditor General's final report into Labour MP and
former Immigration Minister Shane Jones' decision to grant
citizenship to Chinese businessman Yang Liu or Bill Liu has
found "an unfortunate combination of circumstances, but no
evidence of corruption".
In the report released this afternoon, Auditor General Lyn
Provost said her office found "no evidence there was any
improper motive, collusion, or political interference in the
decision to authorise citizenship for Mr Liu".
However the "combination of unusual circumstances and
decisions" associated with the case meant it was "not
surprising that questions started to be asked".
"We found reason to criticise most of those involved in
different aspects of the decision-making process. In the
public sector, decisions not only have to be right, they have
to be seen to be right."
Labour Leader David Shearer has confirmed he has reinstated
MP Shane Jones to Labour's front bench after the report.
"I referred the matter of the granting of citizenship to Bill
Liu to the Auditor-General so that Shane Jones would have the
chance to clear his name in the light of allegations made in
the media. I am pleased that today's report does that.
"The Auditor-General has found there was no evidence of
corruption, improper motive, collusion or political
interference.
The report did however criticise processes followed by
Ministers and officials involved in the Liu case and other
high-risk cases.
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