Doug Armstrong and David Shand have a right to be concerned and
cynical over the timing of the 320 dividend payment being paid out so close to
the local ballot taking place. Trust Chairman William Cairns answer that he was
confused over the timing issue is inadequate; in fact in reality if it is not
scandalous it is certainly unethical.
Given the lows of the banks donations from Kim Dotcom and
the amnesia that Mr Banks had on this issue, one would have expected that all
candidates and sitting trustees would of been scrupulous in their campaigns and
absolutely careful of using any trust dividends in such a way as to compromise integrity.
Returning officer Dale Ofsoske saying ‘that it does come uncomfortably close’
says it all. If the returning officer was unable to use the mana of his office
then perhaps we need to look at a law change to prevent such unethical payment
ever happening again. The New Zealand body politic deserves far more respect than
the Community and the Residents ticket has done by paying out the dividends so
close to an election.