Phil Twyford hits back at Simon Bridges over 'meth cook' Housing NZ compensation

September 24, 2018

The Housing Minister defended the compensation decision against the National MP's hardline questions.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford has rebutted the opposition over methamphetamine compensation, saying "meth crooks" will not be compensated by Housing NZ.

National leader Simon Bridges appeared on TVNZ1’s Breakfast where he said he was against compensation for those Housing NZ tenants found to have used or produced methamphetamine in their homes.

READ MORE: Simon Bridges against compensation - 'What sort of message does that send? '

Mr Twyford released a statement saying compensation will not be given to those convicted of the supply or manufacture of meth.

The Housing NZ board will not be sacked over the methamphetamine contamination “fiasco”, the housing minister said.

"Housing NZ has been very clear that those convicted of the supply or manufacture of methamphetamine from a Housing NZ house will not receive compensation," Mr Twyford said in a statement.

The National leader says it sends a poor message that those found to have cooked or used meth in Housing NZ homes get compensation.

"The 800-odd families that will have their costs reimbursed were in homes that tested under Sir Peter Gluckman’s new recommended level."

"Housing NZ has also acknowledged that these people were denied natural justice as there was no baseline testing before the test that led to their evictions."

"The comments by Opposition Leader Simon Bridges today are at odds with his comments in June when he apologised to these tenants for being kicked out of their homes on ‘dud advice’.”

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