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Secrecy over Brownlee's breach questioned

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Wed, 26 Oct 2016, 5:06AM
Questions are being asked as to why the Civil Aviation Authority kept secret certain details about Cabinet Minister Gerry Brownlee's 2014 breach of security at Christchurch airport (File photo - NZ Herald)
Questions are being asked as to why the Civil Aviation Authority kept secret certain details about Cabinet Minister Gerry Brownlee's 2014 breach of security at Christchurch airport (File photo - NZ Herald)

Secrecy over Brownlee's breach questioned

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Wed, 26 Oct 2016, 5:06AM

Questions are being asked as to why the Civil Aviation Authority kept secret certain details about Cabinet Minister Gerry Brownlee's 2014 breach of security at Christchurch airport.

Previously withheld information into the incident has been ordered to be released by the Office of the Ombudsmen.

Labour MP Sue Moroney said the new information raises questions about potential interference in the withholding of information to avoid embarrassment to the Minister.

"The thing that did really strike me is that they withheld information for something [that was] meaningless, but potentially embarrassing to the Minister - that they prioritised getting food over getting their boarding passes sorted out and going through the proper security," she said.

Ms Moroney said the new information does expose the fact Mr Brownlee's actions were illegal under the Crimes Act.

But she said authorities weren't prepared to prosecute because of the high likelihood he'd be discharged without conviction given the serious ramifications for his parliamentary career.

"I don't know of too many other New Zealanders who would have that taken into consideration in terms of a decision being made of how to handle this type of misdemeanour."

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