7. Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Agriculture
Did he or his office contact New Zealand Police about Farmers Weekly journalist Alan Emerson relating to the incident in his office on 17 May; if so, what information was passed to police?
Hon DAVID CARTERHon Damien O’Connor Link to this
Did he or his office contact the media and provide Alan Emerson’s name; if so, does he think that compromised the ability of the police to investigate the cluster fly bomb incident?
Hon Damien O’Connor Link to this
How then does he explain Alan Emerson’s assertion that TV had been provided by his ministerial office with Mr Emerson’s name, and is he attempting to clarify the actions undertaken by his office?
This matter is an open police investigation. I do not think that it is in the public interest for me to comment on that question or on any allegations from Mr Emerson.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The answer that the Minister gave would be correct if the matter were before the courts, as then it would be improper for any member to speak about it. Mr O’Connor asked the Minister a question about something that is merely a matter of inquiry.
Mr SPEAKERThe Minister has an absolute right to assert that it is not in the public interest to answer a particular question; the Minister has asserted that, and that is where the matter lies. Only the Minister can judge that.
Hon Damien O’Connor Link to this
Given that the bomb turned out to be a box of dead flies, does the Minister consider that the response by the police was warranted when local rural people in the Wairarapa cannot get support from police for love nor money to address the many serious crime issues that are facing the region?