3. Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) Link to this
to the Chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee
When and how did he become aware that John Judge, chair of the ACC board, would not attend the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee’s examination of the 2007-08 ACC financial review?
DAVID BENNETT (Chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee) Link to this
I had not asked Mr Judge to attend the meeting on 12 March. The Labour members of that committee, I am sure, got great value out of the Minister’s attendance, though.
I did not ask Mr Judge to attend that meeting. Dr Nick Smith was in attendance at that meeting. It was very valuable to have his attendance as the Minister at that meeting, and we agreed on his attendance.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Did Dr Nick Smith tell him that John Judge would not be attending that meeting?
It was agreed that the Minister would attend the meeting, and I think that was very helpful for all the members at that meeting.
Mr SPEAKERHon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It was a very simple question. It was one that goes right to a discussion that the chair had—and that the chair has been reported publicly as having had—with Dr Nick Smith. That is something that must be within his memory. He must be able to answer the question. He has not even addressed it.
I think the honourable member should reflect on the set of questions and answers. We should remember that the honourable member who is the chair of the committee has told us that he did not invite John Judge, and was unaware of Mr Judge being invited to attend the committee, so I do not see how he can then be aware that he was not coming. I think the member needs to reflect on the balance of questions and answers there. Maybe, if he wishes, he could put down a further primary question, but I think we have exhausted all the possibilities of this set of questions today.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That would be entirely accurate, other than for the fact that in the public part of the committee and in the media—
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I am sorry, but can I just finish. Both Dr Nick Smith and the chair of the committee have indicated that there was an agreement that because John Judge was not coming, Dr Nick Smith would.
I cannot allow further supplementary questions on that basis, because I do not have that kind of authentication. Primary questions can have that kind of authentication. I do not believe we can pursue the matter further today. Do not forget that I have already allowed two supplementary questions on this question, and I think that is fair and reasonable.