6. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
What did he say in his conversation with Bob Harvey in respect of the Whangamata marina that resulted in the 3 March John Wilson emails stating: “We have received confirmation from Bob Harvey who contacted Shanksy to say the Minister has got the balls to go ahead and stop the marina going ahead at Whanga.” and: “Chris Carter is going to pull the plug on the Marina but is asking for us to back him up.”?
Hon RICK BARKER (Minister of Internal Affairs) Link to this
As the Minister told the House yesterday, he told Bob Harvey no more than what was on the front page of the New Zealand Herald on 1 March—that is, he had concerns about the proposals, he was seeking further information from the Whangamata Marina Society, and he had not made a final decision. That same information was communicated to everyone with an interest in the issue, including the media.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
How can the House believe that the Minister gave no indication to Bob Harvey in that conversation as to his decision on the Whangamata marina, when such an explicit email clearly shows that he did, or are we to conclude that the email was just made up?
The Minister of Conservation has no responsibility for what people put in emails, and I make the observation that just because a person says something does not mean it is true.
Steve ChadwickDid the Minister follow the process set down in the Resource Management Act when making his decision on the two restricted coastal activity permits necessary to construct the Whangamata marina?
Yes. There was great concern to ensure that the process was followed scrupulously as set down in the Resource Management Act, and further information was sought from the applicant to assist in making the decision.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Having heard the Minister explain to the House that just because somebody says something, we should not necessarily believe it, can he explain to the House why we have two emails saying that Chris Carter indeed did inform Bob Harvey that he was going to decline the marina, and seeking support for it?
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. At the end of my asking a question, the Leader of the House, Dr Cullen, threatened me across the House. He has a habit of threatening “dirt files” and all sorts of things on members on this side of the House. I think members of the Opposition should be able to ask questions of Ministers without those sorts of threats being made across the House.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
I certainly uttered no threat. I asked the member: “And what did the court say about that member?”. The court has said that what he said was not true.
Madam SPEAKERI repeat the advice I gave this House that the advice given to all those who made inquiries about the marina was that there were concerns, that information was being sought, and that a final decision had not been made. What others chose to make out of that is entirely over to them.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Does the Minister of Conservation now expect the House to believe that he did not tell Bob Harvey that he was going to reject the marina, and that he never requested back-up and support, despite his admitting that he did have a conversation with Bob Harvey, despite Bob Harvey organising a campaign of support, and despite two very explicit emails saying the opposite?
Yes. The fact is that everyone who made inquiries was given exactly the same information. I make the other observation that it is not the first time that a member of Parliament has been misrepresented or misreported, both outside this House and by other members of this House.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
So is the Minister saying to the House that Mr John Wilson was lying in his email?