Gerry Brownlee will stay on as a minister after receiving a $2000 fine and an infringement notice following his breach of airport security.
Mr Brownlee and two of his Parliamentary aides breached security at Christchurch Airport in July as they were running late for a flight.
They went through an exit door, bypassing a security check. Mr Brownlee, then Transport Minister and current Defence Minister, later said being late was "no excuse" and described his actions as "thoughtless".
He offered his resignation to Prime Minister John Key, which was rejected on the grounds of the "all the tremendous things he's done in the six years as a minister".
The Civil Aviation Authority launched its investigation shortly after the incident, with the infringement notice issued for being in an airport security area without appropriate identity card or document.
In a statement this morning, director Graeme Harris says it needed to be investigated thoroughly, and was treated like any other similar breach.
As a result of the investigation, the two aides were issued formal warning letters because their limited culpability. There is no discretion about the amount of the fine, meaning $2000 was the only option available should one be imposed for breaching security.
Mary Scholtens QC undertook an independent review of the investigation to ensure it was consistent with the standards required by the CAA.
In a short press conference, Mr Brownlee said he "deeply embarrassed" by the incident and had already paid the fine out of his own pocket.
He had a conversation about the decision with Prime Minister John Key yesterday, but his resignation was not asked for. His offer to resign remained on the table however until the investigation was closed.
"I make it very clear that I serve at the Prime Minister's prerogative, and I don't see any right to that position and would certainly have accepted any decision I might not be a minister any further."
Mr Brownlee says he received the same treatment as a member of the public would have in the same situation, and has now learned his lesson.
"I like queuing now," he laughed. "Sorry, I shouldn't make a joke, it's not funny."
Given his new role as Defence Minister, he says he now has a heightened awareness of the need for vigilance about security in New Zealand.
He apologised again to the staff member who let him and his two aides through the door, saying he didn't intend to use his influence over him.
Mr Harris says the subjects of the investigation are now fully aware of the airport security rules.
"The publicity surrounding the incident should also act as a warning to the traveling public that any airport security breaches are taken very seriously by the CAA," he says.
Since the incident, the CAA has required the Aviation Security Service at Christchurch Airport and Air New Zealand to fix aviation security to prevent another incident occurring again.
On the day of the breach, the airport began the process of identifying a new exit procedure which involved reminding airport representatives to keep a closer eye on the door through which Mr Brownlee exited.
Signs were also put up to discourage people from entering the door, and a one-way turnstile has also been ordered and expected to be in place this week.
The CAA says the interim steps taken before the installation of the turnstile to prevent another incident have been satisfactory.
The Green Party and Labour have called for the CAA to release the full report into the incident, saying it is of high public interest.
"The Government and the CAA are hoping the details will be overlooked by the fact that Gerry Brownlee was fined $2000," transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter says.
"The public has a right to know what actually happened when it has to take the extraordinary step of investigating its own minister."
Ms Genter believes the breach shows the "arrogance of a Government in its third term that believes, and acts, as if it is above the law".
Labour transport spokesman Phil Twyford says it is "inexcusable" for any minister to break airport rules.
"Mr Brownlee made a tonne of excuses at the time, most of them hard to believe. The only way the truth will come out is if the report is released," he says.
Mr Brownlee says he did not have a view as to whether the full report should be released, and conceded the incident could be seen as arrogant.
3 News
source: newshub archive
