1. Hon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future) Link to this
to the Minister of Finance
Did the chair of the Board of Air New Zealand inform him, as shareholding Minister, of Air New Zealand’s decision to enter into a commercial contract to fly Australian Defence Force personnel from Australia to Kuwait and the UAE; if so, when?
In view of what Air New Zealand’s chairman, John Palmer, has today described as a “no-surprises policy” with Ministers, and of the fact that the Minister has met Mr Palmer on approximately a monthly basis throughout this year, is he surprised not to have been briefed at any one of those meetings about Air New Zealand’s plans, since he, and not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is the shareholder; and what steps will he be taking to ensure that Air New Zealand’s board does advise him fully on any such situations in the future, regardless of what communications it might have with other Ministers, or with Government departments or agencies?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Mr Palmer and I met this morning, and it was agreed it would have been helpful had I been informed of this matter; and in the future I would expect to be informed of such a matter. But I would say that Air New Zealand approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for advice, and received advice, on that matter But the ministry thought fit not to inform its Minister, or, indeed, any other Minister, about the matter.
Keith LockeWill the Minister, representing New Zealanders’ shareholding in Air New Zealand, be pushing for a management shake-up, after the gross violation of the company’s own charter principle—to “champion New Zealand and its people overseas”—that occurred when it ferried Australian troops to an illegal and a catastrophic war, which has killed so many Iraqis and caused such devastation?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I repeat, Air New Zealand sought advice from what it—I think legitimately—considered to be the experts in the matter of New Zealand’s international reputation, that is, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It was advised that the ministry saw no difficulties, and indeed it sought confirmation of that advice in April. I think in that respect Air New Zealand acted properly. It is most unfortunate that officials did not see fit to consult Ministers. Indeed, I find it strange that officials did not see fit to think there might be a problem in that regard, given the Government’s clear position on the war in Iraq.
Did Mr Palmer advise him today of any other similar future plans to use surplus capacity; if so, what are those plans?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Air New Zealand will certainly continue with charter flights, and some of those charter flights involve ferrying troops. But it is quite different, for example, to ferry some US forces from Darwin to Hiroshima, compared with ferrying to Kuwait troops who may be presumed, on any reasonable basis, to have been proceeding to Iraq.
Will the Minister be asking or suggesting to Air New Zealand that it donate the profits of its two charter flights to Kuwait to medical facilities in Iraq, to help treat those who have suffered as a result of Australia’s illegal war in Iraq?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
My understanding is that medical personnel were among the people on the plane.
I seek leave to table the Air New Zealand company profile, which lists the guiding principle—
Heather RoyDoes the Minister accept that this issue, instigated by comments made by the Minister of Defence and of Trade that blamed Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials and Air New Zealand, has caused volatility in the Air New Zealand share price; and how much has the New Zealand taxpayer lost today from the Air New Zealand share price having dropped around 8 cents a share?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The member may not have noticed this, but share prices have been dropping worldwide. None of that, as far as I am aware, is due to any comments made by Mr Goff.