5 Mar 2014

Collins denies breaking rules on trip

8:40 pm on 5 March 2014

The Justice Minister is insisting she broke no Cabinet rules when she visited the offices of a New Zealand export company in China.

Judith Collins.

Judith Collins. Photo: NATIONAL PARTY

While on a taxpayer-funded trip last year Ms Collins visited Oravida. Her husband is a director in the company and a photo from the visit has been posted on the company's website.

The Labour Party is demanding that Prime Minister John Key investigates Ms Collins over a possible conflict of interest.

MP Grant Robertson says her behaviour goes against Cabinet guidelines, which warn against perceived conflicts of interest and against ministers endorsing any product or service.

He said Oravida donated $56,000 to the National Party in 2011, which could strengthen the perception of a conflict of interest.

Ms Collins says she did have a glass of Oravida's milk during her visit, and probably said it was nice. But she says she was talking up the quality of New Zealand milk, not making an endorsement.

The minister says she has asked Oravida to remove anything on its website that would breach Cabinet rules.

Mr Key said on Wednesday he had been advised that Ms Collins' actions were consistent with Cabinet rules.