Friday, October 29, 2004
More spin than a Gentle Annie
The spin doctors have put this one out there to see if it will fly:
Suspended cabinet minister John Tamihere has been advised by senior Labour figures to pay back a portion of the $195,000 payment he received from the Waipareira Trust as a way of salvaging his career. Sources said most of the payment was for bonuses or consulting work but a sum – thought to be about $50,000 – was an ex gratia payment which could be characterised as a golden handshake.My god - the level of spin from this administration is frightening. Note the careful use of 'sources', standard practice to put it out there and gauge public reaction.
(Later)
Mr Tamihere's defenders have argued that the payments Labour campaigned against in 1999 were paid to executives who were being levered off the public payroll, but Mr Tamihere's payment was for a job well done.
If the public buy it, it becomes 'the position' - if they don't (and in this case - they won't), no one ever said it.
