Defending Shearer

John Drinnan at NZ Herald writes:

Labour leader David Shearer attended a dinner party with his wife at the home of long-time Sky TV lobbyist Tony O’Brien on April 27.

Shearer insists they did not talk about Labour’s broadcasting policy.

However, a private dinner with a lobbyist linked with News Corporation is strange logic while Sky TV is fighting off a regulatory push and amid a global furore as Rupert Murdoch and News Corp are accused of undue influence on British politicians.

It has sparked a debate about political lobbying in this country.

Some would say Shearer’s lack of caution is an example of New Zealand’s easy-going democracy and we should not over-egg such contact.

But Sky TV is ultimately 44 per cent owned by News Corporation, and News Ltd representatives on the Sky TV board report to Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Ltd.

The dinner party was alluded to by the right-wing blogger Whale Oil.

O’Brien is one of New Zealand’s most assiduous and effective lobbyists, and there are no other allegations here of anything inappropriate.

Famously he has his own parliamentary access card so he can move backwards and forwards into security areas at will.

You cannot fault O’Brien’s skills getting close to politicians on all sides of the house – and key journalists – but what was Shearer thinking going to a dinner party with a senior lobbyist held without government officials?

The Opposition leader said broadcasting policy was not talked about.

It was “mostly football, US politics, the role of the Citizens Advice Bureau and what my wife and I had done while working overseas for the UN and other humanitarian organisations”, he said.

Asked if it was appropriate to meet with a lobbyist in this way, Shearer said it was normal for MPs to meet and eat meals with people from all walks of life.

This is bordering on the ridiculous. The clear implication is that a politician should not socialise with a lobbyist, as if they are some sort of criminal.

But actually it is only about some lobbyists. Richard Griffin used to be a lobbyist for TVNZ. Would there have ever been a story about a politician having dinner with Griffin. Of course not.

Would we see a story about Russel Norman having dinner with say a Greenpeace executive, saying it is unwise. Again, of course not.