在新西兰
尼克•史密斯利用部长职权企图为朋友的ACC案子施压，约翰•基在得知此事后没能作出及时反应，这是身为总理的他领导能力的失败。 工党领袖大卫•谢尔认为：尼克史密斯用部长身份去帮朋友是渎
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工党领袖大卫•谢尔认为：尼克史密斯用部长身份去帮朋友是渎职。这事错了，就这么简单。总理应当立即解除他的部长职务。可是在此事的处理上，基没能表现出领导能力。
约翰•基在就位时声称要给他的部长们定下很高的行为标准。然而尽管尼克•史密斯违反内阁规定的证据确凿，总理却没有采取行动。
约翰•基早在多日前就知道尼克•史密斯为他的朋友BrownynPullar写信给ACC用的是部长信函。基本应向史密斯问责，但他没这么做，反之，总理轻描淡写说这不算是“严重”的判断失误，企图就此摆脱。事实上，尼克•史密斯所为性质之严重足以令其被解职。
眼下应当对史密斯渎职一案展开全面调查,从而让新西兰人信服尼克•史密斯、约翰基或其他议员没有在这个案子里涉及更多不当行为。
大卫•谢尔表示：工党无论如何都不会宽恕尼克•史密斯在此事上的行为。但我们认可他在职业生涯中对国会作出的贡献，并认为他已经承担了身为部长应承担的责任。
David
SHEARER
Labour Leader
21 March 2012 MEDIA ADVISORY
Key failed to show leadership over Smith’s ‘error of judgement’
John Key’s failure to act as soon as he became aware that Nick Smith used his ministerial influence to advocate for a friend is a failure of leadership, says Labour Leader David Shearer.
“Nick Smith abused his position as a minister to help a friend. That is wrong. It’s as simple as that. The Prime Minister should have removed him from his portfolios immediately. He has failed to show leadership on this issue.
“When he came to power, John Key claimed he would set high standards for his ministers. But despite clear evidence that Nick Smith broke Cabinet rules, the Prime Minister did not act..
“John Key knew days ago about the letter Nick Smith wrote on ministerial letterhead to ACC on behalf of Bronwyn Pullar. Instead of holding him to account, he simply shrugged it off saying it wasn’t a ‘terribly significant’ error of judgement. It was in fact significant and a sackable offence.
“There must now be a thorough investigation into this matter so that New Zealanders can be reassured that there has been no further wrongdoing on the part of Nick Smith, John Key or other MPs who may be caught up in this case.
“Labour does not condone Nick Smith’s behaviour in any way. But we acknowledge his contribution to Parliament and his passion for the issues that he has been responsible for as a Minister,” said David Shearer.