1. CRAIG FOSS (National—Tukituki) Link to this
to the Chairperson of the Government Administration Committee
How many submissions have been received on the Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill?
SHANE ARDERN (Chairperson of the Government Administration Committee) Link to this
The Government Administration Committee is considering the Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill in the name of the Hon Annette King. Submissions were called for and advertised in the major daily newspapers on 3 November 2007, with the closing date for submissions—
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. This is a very, very narrow question, which asks “How many …”. The answer is a number; it is not a description of other activity.
Madam SPEAKEROne cannot insist on a particular type of answer to the question. I am sure the member will get to how many submissions there are.
I am happy to help the Minister. I am sure he is anxious to hear the answer. The committee received four submissions: one oral, and three written.
What reasons for amending the Protected Disclosures Act 2000 did the person known as the whistleblower in the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board case—a person who had sought protection under that Act—provide in her submission?
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think there are two reasons why that question should be ruled out: firstly, the supplementary question does not relate to the primary question, which asked about a number; and, secondly, it asked for the disclosure of material that has not yet been reported to the House. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for it to be reported in this way.
Simon PowerIn fact, the primary question related specifically to the Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill, which is a subject that was being addressed by the chairperson of the committee.
The reference was to the whistleblower, who gave an oral submission in public to the select committee.
Thank you. The chairperson of the committee is not responsible for the views of submitters to the committee. The chairperson is responsible only for the process. Any question relating to the process is in order, but any question that relates to the substance of the submission is out of order. So that supplementary question was out of order.
I seek leave to table a document from the person known as the whistleblower in order to background her issues in relation to the district health board.