NZ First to place Ross’ proxy vote

The Czech Republic has not requested to extradite Karel Sroubek because it understands a deportation order ‘‘is pending’’ with Immigration New Zealand.

Sroubek, a drug smuggler at the centre of a controversial residency application, is serving five years and nine months in a New Zealand prison for importing 5kg of MDMA ecstasy. Despite his conviction, Sroubek was granted residency by Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.

But Sroubek is also wanted in his birth country, the Czech Republic, for injuring a police officer, disorderly conduct and damaging property.

The Czech Republic Consul General to New Zealand, Hana Flanderova told Stuff that Czech authorities were not trying to extradite Sroubek because he was the subject of a deportation order. ‘‘We are informed by the New Zealand authorities that the deportation order is still pending,’’ she said from her Sydney office yesterday. However, the minister’s office says no further decision over Sroubek’s future has been made. A spokesman said any future action depended on the outcome of an Immigration NZ investigation.

Flanderova said she was being kept up to date on the case by the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Justice which was in regular contact with its counterparts in New Zealand.

She said staff in her office had offered support to Sroubek but he had declined the offer of assistance.

Lees-Galloway has ordered Immigration NZ to investigate Sroubek’s residency application to see if the minister received the correct information when making his decision.

The investigation is being carried out by Immigration NZ’s compliance team. It’s understood they will examine new allegations that Sroubek had already travelled to the Czech Republic since arriving in New Zealand and that his ex-wife no longer supported his application. Expelled National MP Jami-Lee Ross has given his proxy vote to NZ First – but will still vote with National.

The former National MP is on sick leave for mental health reasons after being expelled by National over allegations he leaked caucus details.

However, he remains in Parliament as an elected MP in Botany until he either quits to force a by-election, or National triggers the so-called waka jumping law to oust him. NZ First confirmed the move in a statement, saying: ‘‘New Zealand First received a letter from Jami-Lee Ross on November 3, asking the party to hold his proxy vote.’’

The statement in full:

‘‘The New Zealand First caucus strongly believes that in terms of the Electoral Integrity Amendment Act, that someone in Mr Ross’ position should resign his seat and test his mandate with the electors of Botany and we urge him to do so.

‘‘That said, after careful deliberation New Zealand First is able to confirm that it has accepted Mr Ross’ request.

‘‘The party wishes to make clear that its decision to accept Mr Ross’ proxy, until such time as he revokes it, is done solely on the grounds that the electors of Botany gave a clear expression of their will at the 2017 General Election when they elected him with a significant majority.

‘‘It is on that basis, and that basis alone, that the New Zealand First Whip will use Mr Ross’ proxy – to be exercised at all

‘‘New Zealand First does this to ensure that all New Zealand voters continue to receive representation in Parliament.’’ NZ First on holding the proxy vote of Jami-Lee Ross

times in support of the vote of the National Party – as a temporary delegate for the electors of Botany. New Zealand First does this to ensure that all New Zealand voters continue to receive representation in Parliament.’’

It is unclear whether switching his vote to NZ First will trigger the waka-jumping law – a NZ First-inspired law change that is supposed to preserve the proportionality of Parliament on election night.

Ross had written to National asking it to exercise his proxy vote but that was refused.

A National Party spokesman refused to comment yesterday.

‘‘This is a matter for NZ First and Jami-Lee Ross.

‘‘Mr Ross is no longer a National MP and we’re done talking about him.’’

Ross tweeted: ‘‘While I remain on leave on medical advice, it is important my constituents in the Botany electorate continue to have a vote cast on their behalf in Parliament. I appreciate NZ First supporting Botany by accepting my request to cast a proxy vote.’’