More on Banks and Dotcom
May 17th, 2012 at 1:00 pm by David FarrarAndrea Vance at Stuff reports:
ACT leader John Banks says he gave away a luxury gift basket from German millionaire Kim Dotcom, who is at the centre of a series of allegations surrounding donations to the former Auckland mayor.
Mr Banks confirmed yesterday that he had failed to declare the gift in the register of MPs’ pecuniary interests. MPs are supposed to declare all gifts worth more than $500.
The register is due to be published by the end of the month and MPs were supposed to complete their declarations by February. They are allowed to make adjustments, however.
Mr Dotcom has reportedly claimed that in December he left the hamper worth about $1000 for Mr Banks at the Hong Kong Grand Hyatt.
Mr Banks responded to the gesture with a thank-you note signed “warmest best”.
In a statement last night, Mr Banks confirmed he received the gift basket but said he did not accept it and gave it to hotel staff.
“I have learned through the media today that the gift was supposedly worth more than $500, an amount which requires disclosure under the Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests.
“Subsequently my office sought clarification from the registrar on the appropriate course of action. As we are unable to confirm the actual value, their advice was to make an addition to my return … which I have now done.”
An MP could complain to the Privileges Committee, if thy think the return was deliberately inaccurate. However that would only be accepted if there was some evidence that Banks knew the value of the gift basket was over $500. I have to say that I would not generally assume a hotel gift basket was worth over $500, so even if a complaint is lodged with the Speaker (which Labour could well do as a publicity stunt), I’d be surprised if it is referred to the Privileges Committee.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Key confirmed yesterday that he had met Mr Dotcom’s bodyguard, Wayne Tempero.
The meeting was about a self defence programme for young women and happened before Mr Tempero went to work for Mr Dotcom.
Good God. How is this relevent.
It was claimed yesterday that Mr Banks had proposed a meeting between Mr Tempero and Mr Key over Mr Dotcom’s “future efforts for New Zealand”.
Mr Key has repeatedly said he had never heard of Mr Dotcom till his arrest on internet piracy charges.
A spokeswoman for Mr Key said he has met Mr Tempero once at his electorate office “many years ago”.
“Mr Tempero had returned to New Zealand and was looking for support for self-defence programme he was looking to run for young women,” she said.
I suspect this was before Key was even PM. The reality is that once you are PM, you spend less time in electorate clinics.
Related posts:
- The Dotcom Banks donation
- The Dotcom Banks rap
- The Banks file
- Winston declares Spencer Trust donation
May 17th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
I love how some random German is having such a significant effect on our political landscape. Just goes to show what a little shithole NZ is.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Think both Dotcom and his bodyguard are displaying Narcissistic behaviour. They should start up a club called “The Narcissists”. Here are the symptoms of a Narcissist: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder
Vote:Symptoms of this disorder include, but are not limited to:
Reacts to criticism with anger, shame, or humiliation
May take advantage of others to reach their own goal
Tends to exaggerate their own importance, achievements, and talents
Imagines unrealistic fantasies of success, beauty, power, intelligence, or romance
Requires constant attention and positive reinforcement from others
Easily becomes jealous
Lacks empathy and disregards the feelings of others
Obsessed with oneself
Mainly pursues selfish goals
Trouble keeping healthy relationships
Is easily hurt and rejected
Sets unrealistic goals
Wants “the best” of everything
Appears as tough-minded or unemotional
May 17th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
He’s a bit more than some random German, Dick.
He makes a welcome change from the lame antics of retired league oafs and all the bland c-list socialites and whores who hang around them, their beige-on-beige, vanilla-flavoured little “scandals” being about all our gossip columnists have got to work with.
It reminds me of when the America’s Cup was here, and just for a while most New Zealanders forgot their tall poppy crap, and just enjoyed watching the spectacle that only properly big boys and their properly flash toys can provide.
Perhaps if we had a few more leading citizens like Dotcom who like making a splash, and in doing so enrich the whole public life here, then maybe the rest of us might start to love having ‘rich pricks’ around, instead of indiscriminately hating on them all the time?
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Despite what JK has said about the Herald it looks like the press are being helpful in that they use the new incidents in isolation when in fact a far bigger picture has emerged from Banks first claim of having a cup of tea at the Dotcom mansion once. Therein is the problem, all the crap in the world about giving the ‘gift’ away and not thinking it was worth over $500 just continues the charade that publicly surfaced in Epsom last year.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
There was some excitement yesterday as some Standardistas thought they had the evidence to pin Key to Dotcom – but Fran came in later to say it was just a typo. One ‘e’ can make a big difference.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Of course it was worth more than $500. The Herald told us it contained ‘rich butter biscuits’. What decadence!
Dot Com must have paid through the nose for it.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
I think there is more to this Dotcom case than meets the eye. I wonder if certain politicians and influence peddlers took advantage of the guy’s obvious wealth and desire to live in this country and milked him for everything they could get. Then, when he either didn’t give any more, or failed to be swayed by some threat, begging or coercion, they set the hounds onto him and descended in the black helicopters with the FBI to fuck him over.
For this Key character to claim that he had never heard of Mr Dotcom till his arrest on internet piracy charges is plainly ridiculous. Dotcom was spreading money all around and gifting to multiple political parties and individuals as well as shouting a fireworks display for Auckland and (I think) donating a large sum to the Christchurch earthquake relief. He was what one calls a ‘big noter’ and I cannot see how he would have escaped Key’s notice. Is the man so out of touch with what goes on? I hardly think so.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Banks sure gets a lot of gifts from someone he ‘hardly knows’.
Add to the gift basket the limo at the airport and the limo to the helicopter pad for a trip to Macau and you’d think that Banks would remember the guy.
Hell – Banks’ memory is worse than Winston’s.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Yeswedid: I think the claim that Banks “hardly knows” Dotcom is several upgrades back now…Much as I hate to say it, Campbell on TV 3 put paid to that claim…
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
I wonder if anyone can recall how much coverage their was of Clark who the police had a prima facie case against. Clark’s forgery had the effect of giving her votes that is why she dishonestly pretended she could paint. Under MMP one or two votes can make the difference of one MP which could determine which major party could govern.
I am not saying the media should not be reporting on this matter but that there is a strong bias against a centrist party like National and more of one against ACT.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Slightly different thread…but still on the media….
Pat Lam has “blasted” tabby Herald for calling (pixographer and “repeater”) at his home, unannounced, at 8pm last evening.
Lam told them, paraphrased to piss off and not involve his family (his 5 year old answered the door!). He also reminded them that he is NOT the Prime Minister.
I wonder whether the lame brains at TV3 and Stuffall/greenfax will now climb into Lam, ala J.Key.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
I’m not sure that the Labour Party would dare try and report Banks to the Privileges committee.
Vote:According to Morning Report today there are five Labour MPs who, after the end of February, have altered their declarations.
There were also two Nats but I don’t think National are likely to put Banks forward.
I think Labour will just rabbit on about Banks and rely on the MSM not to name their members.
Incidentaly how is the trial of that Chinese gentleman connected to Cunnliffe and Jones going?
RNZ are very quiet about that, aren’t they?
May 17th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Perhaps Banks should have asked Dotcom to split the $1000 hamper into two $500 hampers instead….
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
perception…………perception…………perception…………
New Zealand is ‘perceived’ to be ‘the least corrupt country in the world’ according to Transparency International’s 2011 ‘Corruption Perception Index’ (which is based upon the subjective opinion of anonymous business people, and is not itself ‘transparent’).
High time for an ENFORCEABLE ‘CODE OF CONDUCT’ for NZ MPs?
High time for a NZ Register of Lobbyists, and an enforceable NZ CODE OF CONDUCT for lobbyists?
How come the ‘least corrupt country in the world’ doesn’t already have such provisions enshrined in law?
(Along with an enforceable ‘Code of Conduct’ for NZ Judges; a Register of Pecuniary Interests for NZ Judges; and a mandatory requirement for all court proceedings to be recorded, with copies made available to parties who request them).
Just helps to prove that this John Key-led MINORITY National Government does NOT have a ‘mandate’ for asset sales etc, because they only have 59 out of 121 MPs, thus must keep ‘dodgy’ John Banks in the House – apparently – no matter what he has done to put himself, or the offices of Mayor or MP into growing disrepute, and make NZ an international laughing stock.
I predict that ‘shonky’ John Key is going to get sucked into the growing, stinking, corrupt whirlpool, for continuing to defend the indefensible ‘dodgy’ John Banks, and for his ongoing failure to immediately stand him down as Minister, (prior to his resignation as an MP).
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’.
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
Vote:http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz
May 17th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
What exactly is the job description of a “bodyguard”?
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Lots of woofs by penny dumb purporting to be a dog.
Vote:But no bite, you silly bint!
Say, how are all those 99%ers going Ms Dumb?
May 17th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
i think the key is that whenever raging nutbags like Penny or Philu ‘predict’ something its pretty much guaranteed that the outcome will be the exact opposite.
Minority government? please.
give up on the mandate rubbish, its pathetic, even for a complete nutbar like you penny.
and lets see, what if banks left parliament, do you think for an instant that National would not take epsom with bells on? your 27 votes would not make a lick of diffence, just like at the general election.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Remember this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFTYZVQo-A8
‘Shonky’ John Key / Tranzrail?
No surprises really that he’s not ‘leading from the front’ regarding ‘ethical behaviour’?
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Ahhh….. the Kiwiblog goldfish are biting – always a good sign…..
Hey!
Do you like the website?
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
Penny Bright
Vote:‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
May 17th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Dear Penny:
This John Key-led National Government does have a ‘mandate’ for asset sales. It’s called an election, you may have noticed it. In a democracy, sometimes things happen that you may personally not like.
We won, you lost, eat that.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
And you, as someone who has STOLEN water, and shown others how to STEAL water, do not have any right to blather on about what constitutes ‘ethical behaviour’.
It is obvious from the above, plus your ludicrous and childish antics in many other areas of life, that you have very little idea about what constitutes ‘ethical behaviour’.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Go away, Penny.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Any minority government assumes Winston would say no to JK. Hard to imagine. Of course the longer term ‘benefits’ might be less appealing but would probably leave act and the conservatives in the dust.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
You have to feel a bit for the grass roots ACT supporters who had built what had the makings of a sustainable right leaning party that was there primarily to give National some backbone. When they get to look back at the carcass once it has finally been put out of its misery Don Brash will loom large as the killer of ACT, first as leader of the National party he moved the Nats to the right and took a large chunk of ACT support, then having wounded the beast he exacted a corporate raid on the remnants, ousted Rodney and then proceeded to finish what he started as leader of the Nats. Quite clinical really and Banks is now mopping up. If it was was a novel you could have imagined that this was some form plot hatched in the back rooms of the national party headquarters and could set a blueprint that labour could try on the Greens. Sadly the truth probably lies in the fact that it has just been political bumbling by a couple of old blokes who had nothing better to do.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@Mark
Vote:That’s a brilliant comment. Spot on and well written. Great stuff!
May 17th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
it is pretty sad Mark. as an Act supporter from back in prebbles days i am dismayed by whats happend. never been a fan of Banks, prick could not even answer a straight question from me at a Hjulich seminar (and no it was nothing liek the madwoman rants about), but i always admired Brashes intelligence, and sincerity.
currently i may not bother voting again. its a bit refreshing actually.
one thing i have noticed though is that when actually crazy people (ie the batshit lady and philu) post their rants, and get put in their place they consider that any discussion or opposition is somehow tantamount to making people quake in their boots so they assume we are trying to silence them. the more you try and argue facts and logic the more they claim that you have nothing.
sadly though if you ignore them, they take that as a sign they have baffled you with their ‘brilliance’ and have stunned you into silence, so post more often crowing about it.
it appears that nothing, nothing at all will convince a conspiracist nutcase they are wrong, and everything, from silence to shouting just makes them crazier and keep going.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@ Penny
Well said, Penny.
Most of these plonkers don’t get what you’re saying, but it doesn’t make it any less valid. Posters like BeaB have no answer to your criticisms.
@ Graham
“We won, you lost, eat that.”
Gosh, that’s clever. Did you think that up all by yourself?
@ DPF
“An MP could complain to the Privileges Committee, if thy think the return was deliberately inaccurate. However that would only be accepted if there was some evidence that Banks knew the value of the gift basket was over $500. I have to say that I would not generally assume a hotel gift basket was worth over $500, so even if a complaint is lodged with the Speaker (which Labour could well do as a publicity stunt), I’d be surprised if it is referred to the Privileges Committee.”
Does that apply to everyone or just the Party you happen to support?
Just askin’.
Vote:May 17th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
And occasionally the batshit insane have sidekicks who do the crazy for them. welcome francis x.
Vote:hope the meds are working.
May 17th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
TWINS.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320x320/578273_313898388686387_311036732305886_725244_779612145_n.jpg
Vote:May 18th, 2012 at 7:02 am
have to laugh loud at all you Act supporters, look at what your party has dissolved into! the biggest joke on the NZ political landscape!. At least the far left of the political spectrum show an ability to mobilise and gain traction
Vote:No integrity and no balls
May 18th, 2012 at 7:34 am
Dear Francis_X (79):
No, I didn’t. And your point is …?
As I explained to Penny, this Government does have a ‘mandate’ for asset sales. It’s called an election, you may have noticed it. In a democracy, sometimes things happen that you may personally not like. In a democracy, people are free to protest and complain. That’s fine. But to whine that “… this Government does NOT have a ‘mandate’ for asset sales” is wrong. They have.
Penny, as someone who has STOLEN water, and shown others how to STEAL water (which she has never answered to), does not have any right to blather on about what constitutes ‘ethical behaviour’.
This, plus her ludicrous and childish antics in previous excapades, demonstrates that she has very little idea about what constitutes ‘ethical behaviour’.
Vote:May 18th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Having looked at the basket photo anybody who allegedly paid $1,000 (HK$ perhaps) was robbed.
Vote:Even the Champagne is at our supermarket at $59.99.
But how do you tell your donor that your basket was really cheap, because Dotcom will get all uptight again.
So it has to be declared as being “over $500″ not to publically upset him as the media love his antics.
May 18th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
This is very,very, very late…
But at a wedding reception (at which we were both guests) not so long ago, I (not my Head of Security) refilled John and Amanda’s glasses with orange juice.
I value my time so highly that I believe he should have declared this $1200 gift of my time in his “voluntary” declaration.
Frankly, just like the Local Govt donation “scandal” that started these ridiculous reports, it is a load of crap.
By the way, I wonder when the KGB (aka Police) will issue proceedings or statements in relation to the many previous complaints in rerlation to the Electoral Act, that they have before them in relation to other MPs.
Vote: