This should be a major scandal story

Newsroom reports:

The parliamentary advisor who helped MPs discover 32 unauthorised changes to the Three Waters reforms bills is calling for a wider review, saying it would be “potentially dangerous” to assume this is an isolated case.

The finance and expenditure select committee reported last week that Department of Internal Affairs’ officials went behind MPs’ backs to make changes to the Three Waters reforms that MPs didn’t agree with.

This is outrageous behaviour by DIA, and there should be employment consequences for those involved. This has had little publicity outside Newsroom.

It’s understood Internal Affairs has not apologised to the committee, or to the Speaker.

I believe what DIA did was arguably a breach of privilege. The Speaker should refer DIA to the Privileges Committee. That is how you will stop this happening again.