More Labour hypocrisy

Hamish Rutherford at Stuff reports:

Finance Minister Grant Robertson gave a post-Budget speech at a $600-a-head Labour fundraiser at the exclusive Wellington Club, drawing comparisons to the previous National Government’s “Cabinet club” scandal.

According to several attendees, about 40 people, including party supporters, business figures and corporate lobbyists, attended the dinner hosted by Labour president Nigel Haworth on Wednesday, at which Robertson was the key attraction.

A similar dinner is due to be hosted at the even more exclusive Northern Club in Auckland on Thursday night.

National leader Simon Bridges has accused the Government of hypocrisy, after Labour once described National’s events, which appear similar to the one attended by Robertson, as “cash-for-access”.

It shows how insincere and hypocritical Labour are. They railed against this in opposition, and of course do exactly the same in Government.

Personally I have no problems with fundraising dinners. The problem is Labour’s hypocrisy in attacking them in the past.

A spokeswoman for Robertson refused to make any comment, describing the dinner as “a party matter”.

The Prime Minister, who is charged with ensuring Cabinet rules are being adhered to, has also refused to comment. …

Haworth said Robertson should not be speaking about party matters, given he was there as an MP, not finance minister.

“He was there, invited by me, as a senior member of the party.”

Shortly after the story was published, an invitee supplied Stuff with a copy of the invitation sent out by Haworth, which suggested Robertson was at the event as finance minister.

“You are cordially invited to join me at a private post-Budget dinner with the Finance Minister, Hon Grant Robertson MP.”

So the Labour Party President says Robertson was there as an MP, not as Finance Minister – but this is contradicted by the invitation the President sent out. Don’t we call this a lie?