Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 6, 2021 18:32:07 GMT 12
ARDERN REFUSES TO RELEASE INFORMATION ABOUT GROUNDSWELL NZ
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has refused to release information she has about farmer protest group Groundswell NZ after it organised protests in more than 50 towns and cities across New Zealand in July.
An estimated 60,000 people drove tractors, trucks and utes through towns in Groundswell’s Howl of a Protest, to show support for the group and its fight against some government regulations, which it says are unworkable for farmers.
Under the Official Information Act, Stuff requested all letters, emails, documents, and/or advisories relating to Groundswell NZ to or from the offices of the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, Environment Minister David Parker and Climate Change Minister James Shaw.
Ardern’s chief of staff, Raj Nahna, replied saying media advice to the prime minister fell within scope of the OIA request and that was ‘’being withheld to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation or officers and employees of any public service agency or organisation in the course of their duty'’.
Groundswell NZ co-founder Bryce McKenzie said the group had not heard from Ardern before or since the protests but it had requested a meeting with her while members were in Wellington to address the environment select committee.
“We got an email back from her office saying she was busy,’’ he said.
“We have not heard from any Government ministers, only opposition MPs. It is disappointing because we think an estimated 60,000 people deserve a response from the Government about the things they are concerned about.’’
Stuff has now filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman about Ardern’s decision to withhold the information.......
www.stuff.co.nz/national/126247858/ardern-refuses-to-release-information-about-groundswell-nz
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has refused to release information she has about farmer protest group Groundswell NZ after it organised protests in more than 50 towns and cities across New Zealand in July.
An estimated 60,000 people drove tractors, trucks and utes through towns in Groundswell’s Howl of a Protest, to show support for the group and its fight against some government regulations, which it says are unworkable for farmers.
Under the Official Information Act, Stuff requested all letters, emails, documents, and/or advisories relating to Groundswell NZ to or from the offices of the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, Environment Minister David Parker and Climate Change Minister James Shaw.
Ardern’s chief of staff, Raj Nahna, replied saying media advice to the prime minister fell within scope of the OIA request and that was ‘’being withheld to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation or officers and employees of any public service agency or organisation in the course of their duty'’.
Groundswell NZ co-founder Bryce McKenzie said the group had not heard from Ardern before or since the protests but it had requested a meeting with her while members were in Wellington to address the environment select committee.
“We got an email back from her office saying she was busy,’’ he said.
“We have not heard from any Government ministers, only opposition MPs. It is disappointing because we think an estimated 60,000 people deserve a response from the Government about the things they are concerned about.’’
Stuff has now filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman about Ardern’s decision to withhold the information.......
www.stuff.co.nz/national/126247858/ardern-refuses-to-release-information-about-groundswell-nz