PRESS RELEASE: Botany by-election candidate – Penny Bright 13 January 2011

13 January 2010

PRESS RELEASE: Botany by-election candidate – Penny Bright

“Reported comments from Prime Minister John Key, suggesting that Botany is a safe National seat, may be a little premature,” says judicially-recognised ‘Public Watchdog’ on Metrowater, water and Auckland regional governance matters, Penny Bright.

“May I respectfully suggest that the voting public of the Botany electorate are not  ‘taken for granted’?

Perhaps John Key needs to be reminded  that the highest voting candidate in Auckland Council’s Howick ward (which covers the Botany electorate), was Sharon Stewart, who successfully stood as a politically non-aligned  ‘Independent’.”

“Sharon Stewart  received 23,716 votes compared to Jami-Lee Ross, who got 19,289 votes,  despite his theoretical advantage of both the Citizens and Ratepayers and National Party electorate ‘machines’.”

Former Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright will be standing on an ‘anti-corruption’ platform’ for genuine transparency and accountability in local and central government and within the New Zealand judiciary.

“National Party MP Pansy Wong, left under a murky, corrupt cloud involving ‘misuse of public office for private gain.’

My commonsense ‘systemic’ solution to the problem of MPs ‘conduct’ is a ‘Code of Conduct’ for MPs – with clear guidelines and sanctions for breaches thereof,” continued Ms Bright.

“As New Zealand is ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt country in the world’ (along with Singapore and Denmark) according to Transparency International’s          ‘Corruption Perception Index’, why do New Zealand MPs responsible for ‘making the rules’ for everybody else – not already have a ‘Code of Conduct’ for themselves?”

“I intend to hold at least three public meetings in the Botany electorate, in February, covering ‘conflicts of interest’, ‘corrupt practices’ and the lack of genuine transparency and accountability in both local and central government and within the judiciary.”

“Having now attended two significant ‘anti-corruption’ International Conferences, (the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference 2009); and the recent Transparency International 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference 2010), it is my considered opinion that the information provided at  these public meetings will be politically ‘explosive'”.

(BACKGROUNDER: NZ  ‘Corruption Reality Checklist’, made available to delegates at the Transparency International 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference 2010 at the end of this email.  This will form the basis of my anti-corruption campaign.)

Penny Bright

Media Spokesperson
Water Pressure Group
Judicially recognised ‘
Public Watchdog’ on Metrowater, water and Auckland regional governance matters.
2010 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

‘Anti-Corruption campaigner’.
Attendee: Australian Public Sector  Anti-Corruption Conference  Brisbane 2009.
Attendee: Transparency International 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference Bangkok 2010.

Candidate for the Botany by-election as an ‘Independent Public Watchdog’.

Ph (09) 846 9825
021 211 4 127

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CORRUPTION REALITY CHECKLIST  –   NEW ZEALAND

1. Has NZ ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption ?    NO

2. Does NZ have an independent anti-corruption body tasked with  educating the public and PREVENTING  corruption?     NO

3. Do NZ’s laws ensure transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and political parties at central government level  ?        NO

4. Do NZ Members of Parliament have a ‘Code of Conduct’?        NO

5. Do NZ Local Govt elected reps have a ‘Code of Conduct’? YES

6. Is it an offence for NZ Local Govt elected reps to breach the  ‘Code of Conduct’?    NO

7.  Is there a lawful requirement for a publicly-available ‘Register of Interests’ for NZ  Local Govt elected reps?    NO

8.  Is there a lawful requirement for a publicly-available ‘Register of Interests’ for NZ Central Govt staff responsible for procurement? NO

9.  Is there a  lawful requirement for a publicly-available ‘Register of Interests’ for NZ   Local Govt staff responsible for procurement? NO

10.  Is there a lawful requirement for details of ‘contracts issued’ – including the  name of the contractor; scope, term and value of the contract to be published in NZ Central Govt Public Sector, and Local Govt (Council) Annual Reports so that they   are available for public scrutiny?   NO

11.  Is it a lawful requirement that a ‘cost-benefit analysis’ of NZ Central Govt public finances be undertaken to substantiate that private procurement of public services previously provided ‘in-house’ is cost-effective for the public majority?  NO

12. Is it a lawful requirement that a ‘cost-benefit analysis’ of NZ Local Govt public finances be undertaken to substantiate that private procurement of public services previously provided ‘in-house’ is cost-effective for the public majority?  NO

13.  Does NZ have a legally-enforcable ‘Code of Conduct’ for members of the NZ Judiciary?  NO

14.  Are all NZ Court proceedings recorded, and audio records made available to  parties who request them?                                                       NO

15.  Is there a lawful requirement for a publicly-available NZ Judicial ‘Register of Interests’?                                                                                       NO

16.   Is there a lawful requirement for a publicly-available NZ ‘Register of Lobbyists’  at Central Govt Ministerial level?    NO

17. Is there a legal requirement at NZ Central and Local Govt  level for a  ‘post-separation employment quarantine ‘ period, from the time officials leave the public service to take up a similar role in the private sector?   NO

18. Is it a lawful requirement that it is only  a binding vote of the public majority  that can determine whether public assets held at NZ Central Govt or Local Govt level are sold; or long-term leased via Public-Private –Partnerships?      NO

19. Is it  unlawful in NZ for politicians to knowingly misrepresent their policies prior  to election at central or local government level?    NO

20.  Do NZ laws promote and protect  individuals, NGOs and community-based organisations who are ‘whistleblowing’ against ‘conflicts of interest’ and corrupt practices at central and local govt level and within the judiciary?     NO

Prepared by Penny Bright –for  Transparency International 14^th Conference 7/11/2010

IACC ID  D – 1198    https://waterpressure.wordpress.com