Vela fisheries story – the facts
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says today’s Dominion Post story linking him to Vela Fisheries is nothing more than a massive beat-up designed to embarrass him just before the election.
“The facts of the matter are these:
• On 12 August 1999 I met Mr Meurant to discuss the Fisheries Amendment Bill (No 3) then before Parliament. He made me aware of Vela’s opposition to some specific provisions of the Bill.
• On 16 August 1999 I issued a press release supporting some of the Seafood Industry Council’s concerns about the Bill.
• On or about 22 August 1999 Mr Meurant apparently wrote a memo to the Velas recommending they make a donation of $5,000 to the United Party. The first time I became aware of this memo was when I was contacted by the Dominion Post over the weekend.
• During the week of 2 September 1999 Parliament debated the Fisheries Amendment Bill (No 3) under urgency. I did not even speak in the debate, nor did I move any amendments to the legislation, and I voted with Government to pass it through its remaining stages.
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