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Greens say govt must tender master banking contract with Westpac after Ministers reveal corporate hospitality accepted from the bank

Greens say govt must tender master banking contract with Westpac after Ministers reveal corporate hospitality accepted from the bank
<p> Gerry Brownlee attended this Bon Jovi concert at the Westpac stadium in December last year as a guest in Westpac&#39;s corporate box.</p>

By Alex Tarrant

The Green Party is calling on the government to put out a competitive tender for its master banking contract after ministers revealed they had accepted corporate hospitality from Westpac in the last year at its Westpac stadium box and at the exclusive White House restaurant in Wellington.

The government's master banking contract is thought to be the single biggest banking contract in New Zealand. Last year the Green Party asked Finance Minister Bill English why it had not been put out for a full competitive tender since David Lange was Prime Minister, with the pressure leading to English saying the government would commit to a future procurement process for the contract, although it was unclear this meant a full tender.

"Given the complexity of banking arrangements for key departments, we are currently consulting with these departments on the timing, nature and scope for this process," English said in December.

The master banking contract has been Westpac's for 21 years without being tendered. It covers all government departments, but not Crown entities or State Owned Enterprises.

In December, a spokesman for English told interest.co.nz the contract had not been re-tendered to date because the costs of doing so outweighed the expected benefits, "given the complexity of arrangements with departments and the price reductions negotiated under the existing contract".

Govt needs to come clean

On Wednesday morning the Greens released a full list of answers to the question of whether Ministers or their staff had accepted corporate hospitality from Wesptac over the last year.

"A series of Green Party written questions has revealed a widespread pattern of treating government ministers and their staff. Nine ministers were found to have accepted corporate hospitality from Westpac Bank in the last year, including box seats at the Rugby 7s, dinner at the White House restaurant [where mains cost NZ$50], and tickets to rock concerts [Gerry Brownlee attended Bon Jovi]. Thirteen ministers had staff who had accepted similar hospitality from Westpac," Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said. See the White House menu and costs here.

"The Government needs to reconsider the way they regularly accept gifts from large corporates like Westpac. These gifts aren’t neutral; they buy access to decision makers in an unfair way,” Norman said.

“Ministers accepting personal gifts from Westpac creates a potential conflict of interest as the Government is actively considering retendering part, if not all, of the banking master contract. Most New Zealanders can’t afford this kind of access, and hence it corrodes the public’s belief that we are all equal in the eyes of the Government," he said.

“The fact that so many ministers had staff who also accepted Westpac’s largesse is disquieting, given the central role of ministerial staff in influencing the decisions of their busy Ministers. There’s an important difference between doing business in a friendly way and using money to buy access to power.”

One way to allay concerns over undue influence in Westpac’s case would be to have a competitive tender for the master banking contract, Norman said.

"Westpac’s 20-year monopoly needs to be opened to competitive forces to ensure the taxpayer is getting the best value for money from the Government’s banker," he said.

“Another way to avoid all suspicion is for the Cabinet Manual to be more explicit about accepting gifts. Ministers and their staff need to accept that they must work to a higher ethical standard when it comes to corporate treating. We need to keep politics honest.”

'Why the fuss?'

Prime Minister John Key told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that the Green Party did not have any legitimate concerns, and the contract was going to be tendered.

"The Government has opened the contract to a competitive tender for the first time in 20 years," Key said.

"That process will go through normal procedures...Treasury will make the final decisions," he said.

A spokesman for Finance Minister Bill English noted his comments made in December that the government would open the contract to a competitive process.

"Officials have already begun scoping work on that process, and this will be the first time in over 20 years the Government's master banking contract has been opened to a competitive process," the spokesman said.

The list (from the Green Party website)

Transcript of Westpac Questions for Written Answer

Green Party Research Unit, May 2011

Question 1: Has he/she, in his/her capacity as Minister of _______, attended any events in the last 12 months where Westpac New Zealand Ltd provided him/her or any of his/her staff with a corporate box?

Rt Hon John Key: No, I have not attended any events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. It is my understanding that a number of my staff have, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. However these are not recorded centrally.

Hon Bill English: I did call in to the Westpac box at the 7s in February…In my capacity as Minister for Infrastructure…it is my understanding that a number of my staff have, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box.

Hon Gerry Brownlee: Yes. It is my understanding that some of my staff have, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. However these are not recorded centrally.

Hon Simon Power: Yes, I attended the 2010 Wellington Rugby 7s Tournament, hosted by Westpac New Zealand Ltd in a corporate box at Westpac Stadium. In addition, a member of my staff attended a soccer match in a corporate box at Westpac Stadium…, in my capacity as Minister of Commerce, I was invited to attend the 2011 Wellington Sevens Tournament, hosted by Westpac in their corporate box on 5 February 2011.

Hon Tony Ryall: Yes. It is also my understanding that staff have on occasion accepted invites to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box, but these are not recorded centrally.

Hon Steven Joyce: No, I have not attended a Westpac corporate box in the last 12 months. It is my understanding that a number of my staff have, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. However these are not recorded centrally.

Hon Tim Groser: I have not attended any Westpac corporate box events. I understand that some of my staff have on occasion accepted invitations to corporate box events hosted by Westpac. However, these are not recorded centrally"

Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman: I have not attended any events. However, it is my understanding that on occasion my staff have accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. These are not recorded centrally.

Hon Peter Dunne: It is my understanding that a member of my staff has, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac New Zealand Ltd in a corporate box. However, these are not recorded centrally.

Hon Anne Tolley: I attended a corporate box on the invitation of Westpac New Zealand on 6 February 2011. I have not had any formal meetings with Westpac representatives, but I have met with representatives of Westpac at a number of social events, including in my own electorate. It is my understanding that some of my staff have, on occassion [sic], accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. However these are not recorded centrally.

Dr Wayne Mapp: Yes. On 19 February 2011 I attended the Blues versus Crusaders Super 15 rugby game at Eden Park.

Hon Rodney Hide: No. However, it is my understanding that a number of my staff have, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. However, these are not recorded centrally.

Hon Phil Heatley: As far as my diary reflects, and I can recall, I have not been hosted by Westpac in a Corporate Box in the last 12 months. Members of my staff may have, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac. However these are not recorded centrally.

Hon Kate Wilkinson: I have not attended any such events. It is my understanding that a number of my staff have, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. However these are not recorded centrally.

Hon Maurice Williamson: Yes, but not in any particular portfolio capacity.

Hon Judith Collins: I have attended one event as a guest in a Westpac corporate box in the last 12 months. No staff members have attended.

Hon David Carter: I have not attended any events in the last 12 months where Westpac have provided me with a corporate box. It is my understanding that a number of my staff have, on occasion, accepted invitations to events hosted by Westpac in a corporate box. 

Hon Paula Bennett: I can advise the Member that in my capacity as Minister for Social Development and Employment and Minister of Youth Affairs, in the last 12 months I have attended a music concert as a guest of Westpac on the 4 December 2010.

Question 2: Has he/she, in his/her capacity as Minister of ________, met with any representatives of Westpac New Zealand Ltd outside of Parliament in the last 12 months; if so, who, what is their position within the bank, and when and where did they meet?

Rt Hon John Key: I opened a new Westpac Branch in Huapai on 4 December 2009. The Chief Executive Officer George Frazis and other Westpac staff attended that opening.

Hon Bill English: In my role as Minister of Finance I attend and host a large number of public and corporate meetings and events, to both present speeches and to hear from New Zealanders about their views. Therefore, I will have met representatives of Westpac at a number of these such occasions.

Hon Gerry Brownlee: Yes. On 4 December I attended the Bon Jovi concert in Wellington in a Westpac corporate box. George Frazis, the CEO, and a range of Westpac employees were present. Why did I attend? Because, "It's my Life".

Hon Simon Power: Yes, I have attended meetings on the following dates: 1 March, 2010, attended dinner with the Westpac Board at the Westin Hotel, Auckland. 23 November, 2010, attended dinner with the Westpac Board at The White House, Wellington…in my capacity as Minister of Commerce, the member will understand that I often attend a significant number of meetings where representatives of Westpac New Zealand are present, along with other industry representatives. It would be difficult to detail all of these meetings, since it may not have been immediately obvious whether Westpac was represented. Having said this, there are a number of meetings where I am aware that representatives of Westpac NZ have been in attendance, amongst others: • Prime Minister's post-Budget speech, attended by the CEO of Westpac NZ, on 21 May 2010 in Auckland • Lunch with Russell McVeagh and other executives, attended by the General Counsel for Westpac, on 29 July 2010 in Auckland • Meeting with the Financial Markets Authority Establishment Board, of which the General Counsel for Westpac was a member, on 5 August 2010 in Auckland • Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Forum, attended by Head of Government Relations for Westpac, on 9 September 2010 in Auckland • Speech at Insurance and Savings Ombudsman Annual Meeting, attended by the Wealth Advisor for Westpac, on 9 September 2010 in Auckland • Speech at Franchise Association of New Zealand's Franchise Awards, attended by a senior representative of Westpac, on 13 November 2011 in Auckland • Discussion with stakeholders regarding the review of securities law, which included the General Counsel for Westpac, on 17 March 2011 in Auckland. • Australia/ New Zealand Leadership Forum, attended by CEO of Westpac NZ, on 28 March 2011 in Auckland In addition, on 21 September 2010 I met with the Corporate Counsel for Westpac Banking Corporation in Sydney, Australia. As noted in my response to question for written answer 37069 (2011), I also attended dinner with the Westpac Board in Wellington on 23 November 2010.

Hon Tony Ryall: Yes. I have attended functions in Auckland and Wellington with the Board's Chair, Board Members and Executives.

Hon Steven Joyce: I attended one social function in Wellington on 23 November 2010 with a number of senior Westpac representatives. It is possible that representatives of Westpac have attended a speech or event I have also attended at another time, but I do not keep a record of every attendee of every event I have been to.

Hon Peter Dunne: In my capacity as Minister of Revenue, I had dinner with the New Zealand Board and Chief Executive Officer of Westpac New Zealand Ltd on 23 November 2010.

Hon Phil Heatley: On Tuesday 5 October 2010 in Sydney, I met with Westpac, as well as other organisations involved in the Bonnyrigg PPP consortium, as part of my visit to investigate Australia's approach to social housing.

Hon Judith Collins: 30 July 2010: Guest at Westpac Women in Business luncheon. Dickson Room, Canterbury Centre, Christchurch. 19 February 2011: Invited by Westpac to be Guest speaker, International Women's Day breakfast, Takutai Square, Auckland.

Hon David Carter: On Wednesday 16 June 2010 I visited the Westpac tent at Mystery Creek Fieldays to hear Brendan O'Donovan, Chief Economist, speak; and on Thursday 9 September 2010 I attended a Federated Farmers information meeting at Darfield High School where Ian Blair, General Manager Business Banking, spoke. I may have met other Westpac New Zealand employees causally on other occasions but have no record of this.

Hon Paula Bennett: I can advise the Member that in my capacity as Minister for Social Development and Employment and Minister of Youth Affairs, in the last 12 months…I have met with John Johnston on 2 March 2010 for lunch at the Backbenchers Bar, on 25 November 2010 in my office and I sat next to him at a event on 7 April 2011 of which I was the guest speaker. I also met with a number of Managers from Westpac New Zealand Ltd on 6 May 2011 and we talked about employment opportunities. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 3253 (2011).

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28 Comments

 "ministers revealed they had accepted corporate hospitality from Westpac"

This is the dirty side of govt.....right John....your govt Mr Key!

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Aaaah....Good ol' political corruption-free New Zealand.

Truly it is Godzone...

 

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Well done the Greens for digging this up.

Now if someone could find out how much wining and dining had been done by Chinese interests..........

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Our Deputy Prime Minister - the Minister of Finance - was caught red-handed scamming an extra $50,000 per year from tax-payers via an accommodation allowance rort.

His immediate superior - the Prime Minister of New Zealand - threatened any who asked pesky questions, and then, after a shameful and embarrassing delay, very reluctantly ordered his deputy - the Minister of Finance - to grudgingly repay the money only when they were in turn threatened with an investigation by the Auditor General's office.

These are the kind of people "leading" the nation.

Worst of all is that 1) it's the merest tip of a gigantic iceberg and 2) they are no worse than any others in the New Zealand political world.

 

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So what's new anon...we get the govt we deserve. The best you can hope for is that the useless poodle media in NZ will expose the rorts and scams. For every rort exposed, expect another dozen to be under the carpet.

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Surely you jest? Another dozen? More like another couple of hundred.

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Labour, National, Maori Party, Greens, NZ First etc. Almost to a man or women these greedy pig troughers will rip and steal off the taxpayer at any chance they get. Anyone that thinks other wise is in La La land. I would say big Gerry went back for 2nds, 3rds,4ths at the Westpac buffet. The mongrels all think they are somebodies. In the real world I would not give 97% of them an interview, let alone a job. Sad really. Cheers

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Don't forget ACT! Among other things, I hear they get excellent travel perks!

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Some sod has to ask, so here goes.....have any govt ministers received housing loans from Westpac since taking office and if so how much have they borrowed and what are the terms of the loans?

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Uh-oh...BH will delete your post.

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..... the Big Head wouldn't ban Wolly , would he ? ...

... we havn't had a " banning " for two weeks now , not since Hickey biffed the Duke of Westminster out ...... and we do need to catch up on our quota ......

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Careful there.

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wolly

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Wolly, if you are going to ask embarrassing questions about corrupt practices, why not move onto the big stuff. Perhaps start with South Canterbury Finance.

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Wolly I'm informed that the register of pecuniary interests shows 10 National MPs hold mortgages with Westpac (3 senior ministers)

and

11 Labour MPs hold mortgages with Westpac

Doesn't say the amounts though. How much does an apartment in downtown Wellington cost? I'm told you can rent them out to your out-of-town collegues, who pay you with their housing allowance from the taxpayer...

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Are they given any discounted mortgage rates? 

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Ahhh, just lovely.

The purest form of bribery and ALL have their snouts in it. Democracy is a joke. This is blatant corruption, cronyism and lobbyism of the worst. Are we in Nigeria?

Oh, how I wish a new wind would blow away all these bankster chums and their keepers. Well, it is only a matter of time. Just as well that they have no comprehension of history. They’d be afraid, very afraid.

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Ummm. ....

So what I am getting is that the NZ government owns a bank, but instead of doing its banking there, it allows a foreign privately owned bank to reap profits from it?

Excuse me, but WTF!?!

Good on the Greens for picking this up, but this shouldn't be tendered, the NZ government and all Crown entities should be banking at Kiwibank!

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Yes , true , but it is a pretty awful bank that the government owns . Not up to their standards , of course ,  but good enough for you plebian bottom feeders ......

...... and it is run by a failed old Marxist , Comrade Cullen .......  And staffed by a bunch of foul-tempered geriatric  dinosaurs from the  old NZPO .

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Kiwibank couldn't handle the Govt Banking. Look  at how much its Business Banking division lost in write offs, probably cutting NZ Post profit in half.

It would take them years to have the proceeses and staff to deal with these institutional accounts. They are not like banking the local diary.

Let them stick to selling mortgages with a box of stamps!!!!

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Like asking a teenager to learn to drive with a F1 car.

You clearly have no idea about Corporate or Institutial Banking, what it involves and what suport infarstructure you need in place to support this level of Banking.

 

Kiwibank simply can't do it: now or in the future!!!

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Yes, you're correct.

The only thing Kiwis can do is agriculture, and sell houses to each other.

Everything else is much too sophisticated and difficult for the likes of us.

Thank Dog all these years we've had loads of flash foreigners willing to come here and show us how to do everything the right way.

We Kiwis are like peasant children and should know our place.

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Make sure you have your milo before you go to bed. And yes I have a very good understanding of the needs of Corporate and Institutional Banking. Thats way I make the comments I do.

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I am very concerned. Top-tiered ministers running the country to the sound track of Bon Jovi?

No wonder we're livin' on a prayer...

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what if the government used itself and didn't charge itself out to itself at the same time, maybe that would make a difference to the numbers...

President of Property...

 

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What a beat up, it all just sounds like the normal relationship a service provider has with one of its largest customers - I bet Fonterra and other corporates will cite a similar list of social activities with their bankers, all of whom no dount tender out their business to the banks from time to time.

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Re Politicians

We have to teach them how to behave and tell them what to do. We do this by regularly voting them out. They will then get the idea. So vote this lot out now and start again. Democracy exists and actually works  as a means of getting rid of politicians not voting them in. Any system can put people into power democracy works because it is best at getting rid of them

Winston Churchill had to fight over 30 elections in his political lifetime, in his day every time you entered the cabinet you had to stand in a by-election.

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FYI from John Key defending the hospitality and saying the contract is being tendered

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=107…

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