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Two National MPs are caught up in a brewing political storm about whether their business links have been in conflict with their Ministerial roles.
Trade Minister Tim Groser has resigned from two company
directorships after fears they could impact on his trade role and
Richard Worth has severed some business ties after a controversial
private business trip to India.
Groser has been a director of a company called New Zealand Aviation
which aims to take students from India and bring them to New
Zealand for training as pilots.
He has been involved in the company at a time when New Zealand
and India have been working towards a free trade deal.
Back in April 2007, New Zealand agreed to study the benefits of a
free trade agreement with India. In November 2008, Groser was
appointed Trade Minister although he did not resign as a director
of New Zealand Aviation until January 31, 2009.
Groser says he resigned as soon as he could operationally.
The Trade Minister has also been a director in a company called the Indian Overseas Group, which lobbies for closer business links between the two countries.
He resigned on February 15. Just six days later he issued a statement announcing New Zealand would negotiate a free trade deal with India
"I personally felt that I couldn't afford to promote this with a financial interest so I though no, just do it cleanly, get out," Groser says.
Worth has also resigned from both the aviation company and the
trade lobby group.
"I've done it because I didn't want there to be any doubt
&about my commitment as a minister," Worth says.
Worth has been criticised after it came to light that he had travelled to India on a private business trip and then spoke as a Minister promoting New Zealand as a destination for pilot training.
"I did speak about the benefits of aviation, but I also spoke
about a raft of opportunities that existed to develop trade
relationships between Punjab and New Zealand," Worth says.
Labour's deputy leader Annette King says it is not a good look.
"It's not a transparent look, it's not the look of a government that is being open with the public," she says.
Further scrutiny of both Ministers can be expected when parliament sits again on Tuesday.
