'People can make mistakes': Bill English goes into bat for possible coalition mate Winston Peters

August 28, 2017

Bill English admitted there are questions to be answered surrounding Winston Peters’ super overpayments, but would not accuse wrongdoing.

Bill English was today totally unwilling to accuse Winston Peters of any wrong doing or deception in relation to his superannuation overpayment, which has enveloped the NZ first leader.

Speaking in Hamilton to announce a $300 million rural medicine training facility, Mr English repeatedly described Mr Peters' superannuation overpaymnents extending back to 2010 as a matter of "personal finances".

The New Zealand First leader has confirmed he received a higher rate than he was entitled to for seven years.

Mr English said the revelations that Mr Peters was overpaid several thousand dollars in superannuation "doesn't give cause for concern", however he did concede questions remain to be answered.

Mr Peters denies the repayments were anywhere near $18,000.

"Those are matters for Mr Peters because this is about his personal finances and his personal circumstances," Mr English said.

"Clearly there are questions there and I think a lot of people are going to be asking them, but it's up to him to deal with that.

"He's made a statement about it that doesn't give cause for concern. Clearly there's going to be more questions to be answered.

"People make mistakes, we're all human. It's just a matter of what the particular circumstances are."

But, Mr English did say he would be concerned if Mr Peters' superannuation overpayments had been leaked by someone working in the Ministry of Social Development.

"Yeah we would be concerned, these are personal details of people's lives, and people expect them to be treated confidentially."

Mr English would not be drawn into a response over whether Mr Peters' superannuation overpayments would affect his willingness to work with him in a potential future government.

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