10. GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
Can he assure the House that all employment and contracting decisions made by the Ministry for the Environment have been made according to ministry guidelines; if not, why not?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
No; my reasons have not changed since the last time I answered this question in the House.
What is his response to comments made last night by former communications manager Keith Lyons, who stated that David Parker had imposed Clare Curran on the ministry and “He also wanted to boost his own profile. It sounded like, for him, that the appointment was not negotiable. The Minister wanted to ensure his own interests were promoted.”?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
My response is that this is a matter that is being considered by the State Services Commissioner, and that is the way it should be dealt with.
Why was Erin Leigh required to forward her work to the Prime Minister’s chief of staff for approval and comment, and was it the case that Heather Simpson ordered Erin Leigh to make changes that were to benefit the Labour Party’s political view?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
This is a matter that is being dealt with by the State Services Commissioner, but I can assure the House that comments on that work came from much wider than the Department of Internal Affairs.
Is the Ministry for the Environment party to the Partnership for Quality arrangements with the New Zealand Public Service Association (PSA)?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I would have to consult with the Minister of State Services to give a definitive answer, but from my memory, going back as a former Minister, the answer is “yes”—of course that applies to public servants.
Can the Minister confirm that the amount of Ministry for the Environment funding that has flowed through the Partnership for Quality programme to pay for PSA union delegates to undertake union activities has topped some $400,000 in recent times?
Is the Minister denying that the Ministry for the Environment has been funding from its vote time and salary for union delegates?
Can the Minister tell the House how much the Ministry for the Environment has used of its vote to pay for the activities of union delegates?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
Yes, and I know quite a lot about hot air. I have learnt more, though, from that member than from the ministry.