May 14, 2014
Cunliffe backs Taurima veto
Labour leader David Cunliffe is backing a decision by the party’s ruling council to refuse former TVNZ broadcaster Shane Taurima from seeking the nomination for Tamaki Makaurau.
The local electorate committee is calling for the council to reconsider, and former MOP John Tamihere says Mr Taurima could have grounds to seek a High Court review of the council process.
Mr Cunliffe says the council made a collective decision after a thorough process, after considering Television New Zealand’s report on the circumstances of his departure.
"While there was no implication of bias in his broadcasting, and I want to acknowledge he is a very senior and proficient broadcaster, there was a conflict of interest which breached TVNZ’s conflicts policy, there was an improper use of TVNZ resources, and there are certainly mixed views on whether he breached a commitment he gave or allegedly gave to TVNZ that he wouldn’t be reinvolving himself in politics while in his then-role," he says.
Mr Cunliffe says Shane Taurima may still have a future in politics.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DAVID CUNLIFFE CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTgwNjg=
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd