Labour would have stripped Worth of portfolio - Goff

Richard Worth. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Internal Affairs Minister Richard Worth would have been stripped of his portfolio over the conflict of interest controversy if he had been a Labour MP, Opposition leader Phil Goff says.

Dr Worth visited India and spoke in his ministerial capacity while he was promoting a private company in which he had an interest.

He resigned yesterday as a director of New Zealand Aviation, which is linked to an Invercargill air training academy that wants to train Indian pilots.

Trade Minister Tim Groser was also a director of New Zealand Aviation, but he resigned after being appointed to the Cabinet.

"They (directorships) should have been resigned immediately. He would have been briefed as soon as he became minister," Mr Goff told Radio New Zealand.

"I think that if you breach the cabinet manual in terms of conflict of interest, you're gone.

"That was certainly the way (former prime minister) Helen Clark ran (things) and I would, too."

When an MP became a minister, they were given a checksheet to make sure they had no potential conflicts of interest.

"In case you're in any doubt, they also come in and give you a confidential interview so that we can maintain the highest levels of integrity," Mr Goff said.

Dr Worth and Mr Groser's involvement in the company was inappropriate, he said.

"... and perception, as the cabinet manual says, is as important as reality."

Mr Key said yesterday he had "bollocked" Dr Worth over the incident.

It was apparent from Mr Key's comments at yesterday's press conference that he does not consider Mr Groser did anything wrong.

He used the fact that Mr Groser resigned on the advice of the Cabinet Office as evidence that the system worked - although it did not consider Dr Worth's business interests amounted to a conflict of interest with his internal affairs portfolio.

"He (Dr Worth) created that conflict when he went on that visit," Mr Key said.

"I hope he won't make that mistake again."

- NZPA