The Taxpayers’ Union says today’s release of the
COVID-19 Royal Commission report confirms that ministers
made some of the most significant decisions in modern New
Zealand history while ignoring official
advice.
Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf says
the report raises serious questions about
accountability.
“New Zealanders were repeatedly told
the Government was ‘following the science’. The Royal
Commission report shows that wasn’t always the
case.”
“We now know that ministers kept Auckland
in lockdown longer than officials advised and maintained
vaccine mandates for teenagers despite safety warning
against two-dose requirements.”
“These were
extraordinary decisions that cost taxpayers $66 billion and
imposed some of the harshest restrictions anywhere in the
developed world.”
“When politicians override the
advice they’re given, they must explain why. So far, that
accountability has been missing. Former COVID Response
Minister Chris Hipkins declined to appear publicly before
the Royal Commission. New Zealanders deserve answers about
why key advice was ignored.”
“When governments
exercise extraordinary powers over people’s lives and
spend tens of billions of taxpayer dollars, the public has
every right to demand
accountability.”
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