Meridian Energy bribing a govt dept??

[Lovelee]

Nothing unusual about DoC windfarm deal - Carter

Updated at 12:42pm on 16 February 2009

Former Conservation Minister Chris Carter says there is nothing unusual about a deal between the Department of Conservation and Meridian Energy over a windfarm in Central Otago - except that it was kept secret.

Documents obtained by Radio New Zealand show Meridian Energy agreed to pay $175,000 in return for DoC not opposing the Project Hayes windfarm near Ranfurly.

Mr Carter says he was unaware of the deal over Project Hayes and there was no order from his office for DoC to support the project.

He says DoC has not acted unethically, but the agreement should not have been confidential.

Current Conservation Minister Tim Groser has ordered a report into the deal.