A committee of MPs is weighing-up former Auditor-General Martin Matthews’ appeal in Parliament this week.
Matthews alleges he was forced to resign from the role in 2017 after a political storm that followed the sentencing of former transport ministry worker Joanne Harrison.
Harrison made headlines when it was revealed she stole more than $700,000 from the transport ministry where she worked as a senior manager and when Matthews was then chief executive.
Matthews was accused of mishandling the case and not doing enough to stop the crimes of Harrison.
The group of MPs that appoints independent officers of Parliament is hearing Matthews’ petition and are working to make a decision before Parliament dissolves on August 12, Stuff reports.
Matthews claims he was unfairly treated and despite helping bring Harrison to justice, he’s paid a “higher price than the criminal”.
However, a damning report by author Sir Maarten Wevers says Matthews’ handling of the case was “substandard”, his leadership “lacked rigour” and he was slow to start the fraud investigation after being alerted.
