Photo: FileA report by the Auditor-General into the controversial deal that saw $11.5 million of taxpayer money spent on a Saudi farm has been released. About $11.5 million has been spent on sending New Zealand sheep and equipment to businessman Hmood Al Khalaf's farm in Saudi Arabia. That included $6 million spent on establishing the farm, including equipment and technology, and a $4 million payment to the Al Khalaf Group. A key motivation for the Government for the deal was to help progress a free trade deal with the Gulf States. In September this year, Trade Minister Todd McClay announced that the stalled free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would be completed.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 02, 2016 01:35 UTC