7. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National—Rodney) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
Can he confirm that from 1 January 2003 to 21 September 2006, Taito Phillip Field made 481 representations to either the Minister of Immigration or the Associate Minister of Immigration, including over 40 after the Ingram inquiry was established?
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Does the Minister stand by his statement in the House on 24 August that the Associate Minister was entitled to receive information from Taito Phillip Field that he had sent Mr Sunan Siriwan to Samoa, where Mr Siriwan tiled 460 square metres of Mr Field’s house without pay; is it appropriate for a member of Parliament to gain material or financial benefit from making representations to the Associate Minister of Immigration?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
All immigration cases are treated on their merits, and of course it would be not be appropriate for members to receive gain in the way the member says. I note also—[ Interruption] If the member would breathe for a moment, he will note that there is a police inquiry—
Madam SPEAKERHon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
—under way at present. Again I say to Dr Smith that if he has further information in that respect, he has an avenue to explore that, and that is the police inquiry.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Should Taito Phillip Field have disclosed to the Associate Minister of Immigration that not only was Mr Siriwan tiling 460 square metres of his own house without pay but also that he had tiled Maxine’s Cake Shop, owned by Mr Field’s stepson in Samoa, for no pay, and that he had also laid a new floor at Maria’s Health Care Pharmacy, a business run by Mrs Field’s daughter-in-law in Samoa; is it appropriate for a member of Parliament to gain material or financial benefit from making representations to the Associate Minister of Immigration?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
In answer to the latter part of the question, no. Again I say to the member that he will know that a police inquiry and investigation have commenced. I am not about to prejudice that inquiry by going into the matter. If the member has evidence, he should take it to the police inquiry. He has an avenue; he knows that.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that Taito Phillip Field was less than truthful when he told Noel Ingram QC that it was not until June 2005 that he became aware Mr Siriwan had been working for him and his wife, when Mrs Field filled out in Mr Field’s presence, on 26 or 27 February 2005, a Samoan immigration form promising to be Mr Siriwan’s employer, and when Mr Siriwan was issued with a Samoan work visa prior to 17 March 2005 on the basis of his being employed by the Fields?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
The Minister is not about to prejudice a police inquiry by trawling over those issues, even if the member wishes to prejudice a police inquiry. Again, my advice to him is that if he has concerns and evidence, he should take them to the police inquiry.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
How would the Minister respond to an immigration representation from Taito Phillip Field if he became aware Mr Field had told someone who was seeking his help on that immigration matter that he would have to pay money for Mr Field’s assistance, and that the more money he paid, the greater would be the chance of success in getting a special direction from the Associate Minister of Immigration?
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE Link to this
Firstly, I say all cases are treated on their merit, and all representations and relevant information are considered in respect of those cases. I tell the member again, in danger though I am of being shrill, that if he has evidence he should take it to the police inquiry.