The Labour Party has blocked attempts for an independent inquiry into the Government's COVID-19 economic response for more than five months.
In a last-ditch attempt, members from all other political parties have written to the Minister of Finance to demand answers.
It's not often you see National, the Green Party, Te Pāti Māori, and ACT teaming up, so when they do it's a big deal.
For months now the opposition parties have been calling for an inquiry into the Government's COVID-19 economic response.
But there's yet to be buy-in from the man in charge of our books.
"Right now, when we're still dealing with an omicron outbreak, that's not the appropriate time but there certainly will be a time," Finance Minister Grant Roberston said.
National Party Finance Spokesperson Nicola Willis said people need to know when the inquiry will take place.
"If it's not the time for an inquiry now then when will it ever be."
Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick agreed.
"You can't kick it out forever and ever."
Now, Newshub can reveal members from all other political parties have written a letter directly to the Finance Minister requesting either an independent inquiry or confirmation that Labour MPs on the Finance and Expenditure select committee aren't being instructed to vote against their requests for one.
As that's exactly what they've been doing.
"It's very strange to see Labour Members of Parliament continually blocking that inquiry," Willis said.
And now there are questions over whether the Finance Minister has been pulling the strings in the background.
In a written question to the Finance Minister, Swarbrick asked if he'd had any conversations with Labour members on the committee about the calls for an inquiry.
In his response, in terms of his ministerial responsibilities, he hadn't initiated any discussions.
"I think that it's been clear from the minister's answer that he does not believe he's expressed views as a minister but that very much leaves avenues open for him to express those views as a labour MP," Swarbrick said.
The Finance Minister said he isn't responsible for the Members of Parliament.
"As a member of the caucus, we discuss a lot of matters but as the Minister of Finance I do not have responsibility for the members of the caucus."
Not the clearest message from the country's finance guy.
The cross-party team said their demands will only get louder until an inquiry is set in stone.
