Photo: LinkedIn/Michael Forbes
The minister who a government press secretary was working for when police investigated him over claims made by sex workers told reporters today that her feelings are irrelevant.
Michael Forbes quit on Wednesday from his position of deputy chief press secretary to the Prime Minister, and has apologised after accusations he recorded audio of sessions with sex workers, had intrusive photos of women in public and footage of women shot through windows at night.
Forbes was working for Social Development Minister Louise Upston in July last year when police investigated but did not pursue charges.
He didn't disclose the investigation to the minister, or his employer Ministerial Services, and didn't raise it with the Prime Minister's office when he moved to work there in February.
Upston told media on Thursday afternoon she's more concerned about the women affected by his actions, than her own feelings.
She said questions should be directed to Forbes about why he didn't disclose the fact police were investigating him to his employer.
"That's a matter for him to answer to, that is absolutely a matter for him to answer to - not me," Upston said.
"It was on him, and he didn't disclose that information."
Upston said she's had substantial conversations with her team and acknowledges there's been a range of emotions from those who worked with Forbes.
Natonal Party Minister Louise Upston. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Senior Minister Judith Collins said she had never heard complaints about Forbes behaviour, and was shocked to hear the allegations against him.
He worked for Collins when she was the National Party opposition leader.
She said questions about whether he should have been more thoroughly vetted or whether he posed a security risk were not for her to answer.
"I think it's a matter that's being dealt with now by Internal Affairs, DIA, and so I think I'll leave it at that - but yeah I was pretty shocked," Collins said.
On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters he was open to looking at privacy laws after a call for a law change by the madam of the brothel at the centre of the accusations against Forbes.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said making audio recording illegal would be a significant change, and it's currently a well-settled law.
"We can ask some questions about that but I wouldn't underestimate that that's a big change," he said.
Goldsmith said no conversations about a change have started.
New Zealand First's leader Winston Peters has not yet taken a position on whether privacy laws should change.
While the madam of the Wellington brothel who confronted Forbes wants law changes to prevent people being recorded without their knowledge, Peters was not rushing to do so.
"You've asked the right person and you're asking the right party, but I'm not in charge of the National Party," Peters said.
"If you dissect the background of this, it may be this question would arise, but I don't know at this point in time because I haven't seen any information."
ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden said she's open to a conversation about privacy laws, but not right now.
She said people at Parliament will still be grappling with the news, calling them "very shocking" and "quite disturbing" allegations.
"I also want to ensure we give the women who have complained and made this known the respect that they deserve without muddying this with a law change conversation," van Velden said.
She said her thoughts go out to the women who are affected by Forbes' actions, adding the women were "quite brave" for going public.
She said she's had conversations with sex workers about the type of work they do, and the "dangerous elements" involved in that work which she called eye-opening.
Van Velden had also had conversations with cabinet colleagues about how sex workers could be more safe, but it's not a priority at this stage.
ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said, like all workers, sex workers deserved to feel safe in their workplace.
She was supportive of changes to privacy laws.
"In my time as a former prevention of violence minister, these sorts of issues around privacy and consent across public spheres as well, have long been a conversation from this sector and from advocates. So, I think that's something we should all look at," Davidson said.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Senior Labour MP Barbara Edmonds said Labour was open to law changes, but it needed to discuss it as a caucus.
"I think there was a lot of surprises into the different elements of all these allegations. So, we need to have a good look at it, see what the reports and reviews come out with, and make a decision as a caucus as to where we need to see areas of the law be tightened," she said.
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