Speaker refers MBIE officials to Privileges Committee

Parliament's Speaker has sent allegations that MBIE officials misled a select committee over a cancelled $35 million IT project to the Privileges Committee for investigation.

Speaker Gerry Brownlee has referred allegations that Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment officials misled Parliament to the Privileges Committee.

The referral, made on Wednesday, concerns a March appearance by senior MBIE officials before the Education and Workforce Committee. The officials did not tell the committee that an IT project worth $35 million had been scrapped.

Labour MP Phil Twyford and the Education and Workforce Committee both wrote to Brownlee raising the matter as a question of privilege. Brownlee found the conduct could amount to a deliberate attempt to mislead a committee, which would be contempt of Parliament.

"The Speaker does not enquire into the veracity of the evidence presented, or conduct an inquiry into the allegations. That is the role of the Privileges Committee," Brownlee said.

The Public Service Commission has commissioned an investigation led by Michael Heron KC. The review will look at ministerial advice from MBIE, including its preparation and content, and what the ministry knew about the project when officials appeared before the committee.