Carter 'misled Parliament'

Nick Smith used an email from Bob Harvey (pictured) to back his claim against Chris Carter.

National has alleged that Conservation Minister Chris Carter deliberately misled Parliament over his veto of the Whangamata marina project.

The party has written to Speaker Margaret Wilson requesting that the matter be referred to the powerful privileges committee for investigation.

National's move follows the filing of emails in the High Court which threaten to embarrass senior Labour figures.

In one email, Waitakere Mayor and former Labour Party president Bob Harvey implies that on the same day Mr Carter distanced himself from a Herald report saying he would veto the marina development he told Mr Harvey he would oppose it.

Mr Carter has told Parliament he spoke to Mr Harvey on the day the Herald story was published but said he told the mayor he hadn't made a decision about the marina.

National MP Nick Smith yesterday used Mr Harvey's email, filed in court in support of a challenge to the marina decision, to back his claim that Mr Carter had misled Parliament.

"Mr Carter has told Parliament he did not solicit support for his rejection of the marina, and that he was still considering his decision in early March, yet recently revealed emails tell a very different story," Dr Smith said yesterday.

It is "absolutely clear" Mr Carter had already made a decision when he told Parliament he had not, Dr Smith said.

The $10 million Whangamata marina project was halted by Mr Carter in March, despite it having earlier been approved by the Environment Court after a 14-year battle.

Mr Carter pointed to the likely destruction of a wetland area adjacent to the marina as a reason for his decision.

Environmental groups applauded the move, but supporters of the project have filed for a judicial review of the minister's veto, which is due to be held in August.

Dr Smith's letter to the Speaker notes that Mr Carter told Parliament on March 15 that his conversation with Mr Harvey hadn't included anything more than what had been in the Herald story.

But an email sent from Mr Harvey to Auckland architect Stephen Smythe shows Mr Harvey apparently had a different understanding of the conversation.

Mr Harvey asked Mr Smythe "in strictest confidence" to assemble for the minister a range of spokesmen to support him in his decision on "Whangamata Bar".

The minister had asked Mr Harvey to assist quickly and effectively to get a group of people together to support him, Mr Harvey wrote.

Dr Smith said Parliament needed to be able to take ministers at their word, and the matter warranted being referred to the privileges committee.

"This is a serious breach, with a minister misleading Parliament over the timing of his decision and his involvement in soliciting a campaign of support for his decision," Dr Smith said.

A spokesman for Mr Carter yesterday said the minister stood by his answers to the House.

The minister could not comment further because the matter was before the court, he said.