National MP Roger Sowry is calling on the Government to table all relevant information about a so-called insider group which would give its members the inside running on Crown projects.
The New Zealand Herald this morning reported that a group under the name of Pacific Road New Zealand was urging companies
to join an informal ministerial team under TVNZ chairman Ross Armstrong and involving former Australian Labour Prime Minister Paul Keating.
It suggested those who joined would get top political access and have the inside running on projects.
Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen said he did not know who Pacific Road New Zealand was and rejected any suggestion a company in the group would have got preferential treatment in public-private partnership projects (PPP).
"Any PPP would have to involve a full tender process with no favours granted," he said.
Mr Sowry said National supported PPPs but that they must be open and transparent.
"National is very concerned about the new group, that says it was set up at the prime minister's request," he said in a statement.
"We want full disclosure over who Dr Armstrong's been meeting with, what officials were there and what sort of deals are being done."
Business New Zealand chief executive Simon Carlaw said the allegations could seriously damage New Zealand's reputation for transparency and lack of corruption.
"The New Zealand business community does not need any slur hanging over it," he said in a statement.
"The issue must be immediately clarified to prevent any loss of confidence by existing or potential investors in the New Zealand economy."
- NZPA
