6. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
What reports, if any, has he received regarding yesterday’s release of the Immigration Act Review Discussion Paper?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Immigration) Link to this
I have seen a number of positive reports, two of which were from Dr Lockwood Smith. After yesterday describing it as an “underwhelming document”, he said on Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report this morning that he was not objecting to it. A further report was from Dr Donald Brash. He issued a press release stating that the National Party was pleased that Labour is reviewing the Immigration Act. It is good to see such support from across the House on such an important matter.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Has the Minister seen reports of Dr Brash saying that after 6 long years he is pleased that “Labour is waking up to immigration as an issue, after it was raised at Orewa this year.”; despite the inability to reconcile those two dates, does he think for a moment that the National Party has anything to do with this review at all?
Madam SPEAKERHon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I have seen such reports and note that the Ōrewa speech the member referred to postdates the start of the Immigration Act review process. The real driver for the review was the fact that New Zealand and its international environment have changed significantly since the previous Act was passed in 1987. Aussie Malcolm, a former Minister of Immigration for National, agrees, and says today that “the world has changed, and it was time to do a review”.
Lynne PillayHon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
It aims to ensure that immigration serves New Zealand’s national interests by helping to get New Zealand the skills we need, maintaining the security of our borders, and contributing to good settlement outcomes.
Judy TurnerIs it true that the National Party was excluded from yesterday’s briefing on the Immigration Act review; if so, what was the rationale behind that?
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Has the Minister seen this comment: “I doubt it’s a coincidence that I flagged National’s intention to review immigration policy this year at Orewa, and now Labour has announced restructuring today.”, and does he think that comment from Don Brash has any integrity or credibility whatsoever? [ Interruption]
Yes, it is an opinion. Could the member repeat the question again because an opinion is sought, but you cannot actually ask for it on National Party policy.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Could I ask the Minister this? Has he seen this comment by Don Brash, the leader of the National Party: “I doubt it’s a coincidence that I flagged National’s intention to review immigration policy this year at Orewa, and now Labour has announced restructuring today.”, and was this comment, and prior work by the National Party, in any way related to the review that was agreed to between the Labour-led Government and New Zealand First after the last election?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I can confirm that that member’s party has played a constructive role in policy development and stands in complete contrast to the “Donny come lately” approach of the Opposition.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I simply ask whether you are going to allow that final statement to stand. The statement was, of course, made by the Minister who is proving himself to be the leash for Winston Peters, who is the poodle.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I ask you to get Mr Brownlee to withdraw and apologise for that comment. For a start, it is an abuse of the Standing Orders to raise a point of order and then add that to it, as well as being insulting. I could call him “bovver boy”, or a whole lot of words, and I will, if he keeps it up. You will invite disorder in the House if he is allowed to get away with that.
The member has taken offence at a term and the convention is that the member who uttered the offence withdraws and apologises, so we can proceed with the business of the House. [ Interruption] I have ruled on it, please. Let us settle this one. [] If we could all, please, just settle and concentrate. As I understand it, the Rt Hon Winston Peters took offence at a comment that was made about him. Therefore the convention of the House in those instances is that the member withdraws and apologises.
No the member was on his feet with a point of order. I will get around to you all with your points of order. [ Interruption] No, I am sorry, I have ruled on that.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I seek leave to table a copy of a National Party press release in which Dr Don Brash stated he was pleased that Labour is addressing—
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I seek leave to table a transcript of a press release by National Party immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith that describes it as fantastic—
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I seek leave to table a transcript of an interview with Dr Lockwood Smith in which he says he has no objection at all to the document.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I seek leave to table a press release by the Rt Hon Winston Peters where he stated that he was not sure if National was coming or going on the issue.
Talking about coming and going, I seek leave to table a photograph of David Cunliffe wearing a wetsuit the wrong way round—
No, everyone has been interrupting, so all members are on their final warning. We need to get through this question time with a modicum of order.
Notwithstanding the fact that I did offend Mr Peters and apologised for that, there was substance to the point of order I raised and I think you need to take some action in that regard.
The point of order was that Mr Cunliffe made an extremely unparliamentary and inappropriate comment at the end of his answer to that question for which he should withdraw and apologise.
I am not sure I can remember what the comment was, actually. Did you make such an inappropriate comment, Mr Cunliffe? If you did, would you please withdraw and apologise so we can move on.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I withdraw and apologise. I seek leave to table a photograph of that member fitting into a wetsuit.
Thank you very much. Well, I must say: “One-all”. Now Mr Hide has the next point of order. He has been on his feet. [ Interruption] You can, after Mr Hide has made his point of order. Now please, silence.
Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I just ask you to reflect over the adjournment about people’s sensitivities and the nature of this House. We have had a situation this week where you ruled that it is out of order to laugh because laughter is an interjection. Now we have had a ruling from you that a member can take offence because he was called a poodle. I ask you to reflect on the fact that right through the last parliamentary term, I do not think a day went by when the Rt Hon Winston Peters did not accuse Peter Dunne and the United Future party of being poodles. He endlessly held up signs declaring “poodle power”, laughed all the way through United Future’s contribution to anything, and, now that he is actually showing what it is to be—
I am asking you, Madam Speaker, to reflect on what will become of this Parliament if we cannot laugh because we might offend Mr Peters, and cannot use the name of any particular dog or any other animal because it might offend Mr Peters, and if, during debates in this Parliament, we all have to tiptoe around on eggshells, because the Rt Hon Winston Peters, who props up this ragtag Government, might be offended.
The member will be seated. I do not want to hear any more conversation on this. I am always happy to reflect on what members say.
The member is coming close to trifling with the House. We need to move on with the business of the House.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
With respect, my point of order is this: I objected to a point of order being taken by Mr Brownlee, whereupon he added those words in. In the normal course of debate I would not have objected, but he cannot get away with it in a point of order. That is my point of order. The witless bloke over there does not understand that.