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Finance Minister Michael Cullen is blocking the release of documents and advice relating to the Cabinet's shock decision to change the rules around a Canadian bid to buy a stake in Auckland Airport.
A decision on whether the controversial deal can go ahead is expected this week, but in the meantime Dr Cullen's office is refusing to allow the public to see any advice the Cabinet received when it made the rule change.
A request by the Herald for the papers was refused by Dr Cullen's office on the grounds of maintaining the "effective conduct of public affairs through protecting ministers, members of government organisations, officers and employees from improper pressure or harassment".
Asked what the improper pressure or harassment referred to, a spokesman from Dr Cullen's office said the two ministers who would apply the new rules had been excluded from Cabinet talks about the rule change.
The ministers - David Parker and Clayton Cosgrove - were kept at arms' length and to release the information before a decision defeated the purpose of that, he said.
The Herald understands Dr Cullen's office is likely to release the documents after the high-profile decision of Mr Parker and Mr Cosgrove has been made.
National Party finance spokesman Bill English last night called on Dr Cullen to release the information publicly, and said it was "ridiculous" to think the two ministers couldn't apply the right criteria if the background documents were public.
The Herald will appeal against the decision to the Ombudsmen's office.
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is the conditional owner of 40 per cent of Auckland Airport but it appears to be facing a struggle to gain approval under the Government's new foreign control rules, which require ministers to consider whether the purchase "will, or is likely to, assist New Zealand to maintain New Zealand control" of Auckland Airport.
Mr Cosgrove and Mr Parker have received information and a recommendation from the Overseas Investment Office relating to their decision.
The decision is open to judicial review.
