15 Dec 2010

Labour reveals more information about Wong trip

6:47 am on 15 December 2010

The Labour Party has revealed in Parliament further information about a taxpayer-funded trip to China in 2008 by National MP Pansy Wong and her husband.

Mrs Wong resigned from Parliament on Tuesday, saying the controversy has become too much of a distraction for her party and unpleasant for her family.

A recent inquiry found that, while business was conducted on a 2008 trip to Lianyungang relating to a hovercraft company linked to Sammy Wong, it was unplanned and inadvertent.

Labour MP Pete Hodgson told Parliament on Tuesday that on her arrival there, Mrs Wong was greeted by a large, pre-printed banner welcoming her as a Cabinet minister to inspect the company.

He also told the House that while there, Mrs Wong attended the signing ceremony of the co-operation framework agreement between New Zealand Pure Natural Limited and officials.

Mr Hodgson produced Company Office records showing Mrs Wong's husband is a majority shareholder of that company.

He asked Prime Minister John Key in the House if he knew about Mrs Wong's attendance at the signing ceremony.

Mr Key responded by challenging Labour to take its allegations to the Auditor-General.

Labour has said it will provide all the information it has on Pansy Wong's use of her travel entitlement to the Auditor-General.