9. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National—Rodney) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
Was complete information provided in immigration submissions by Taito Phillip Field; if not, in which cases was information incomplete?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Immigration) Link to this
The Minister of Immigration is not responsible for the submissions made by members of Parliament, including those of that member.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
What information was Taito Phillip Field trying to hide when, on 2 October 2005, he held a meeting with eight Thai immigrants, with the objective—as alleged by the Serious Fraud Office—of controlling leaks to the media about work the immigrants were doing on his numerous properties in return for Mr Field’s assistance on either their, or their partners’, immigration cases?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I repeat that I do not have responsibility for the actions of a member of Parliament, including those of that member.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
What information was Taito Phillip Field trying to hide, with regard to the material gain he was obtaining in return for making immigration submissions, when after the meeting on 2 October 2005 only three of the eight Thai immigrants would cooperate with the Ingram inquiry, one of whom, Mr Srikaew, claimed Mr Field was not at the meeting although Mr Field recalled seeing him there, another of whom, Miss Thaivichit, had her evidence described by Noel Ingram QC as “improbable”, and two of whom, Miss Thaivichit and Mr Chaikhunpol, refused to cooperate further after being asked to provide documentary evidence?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I respond that I am not responsible for the statements or actions of a member of Parliament. I further note that all those questions are the same. No doubt Dr Smith sees them as being different, just as he advised the Evening Post on 3 August 1998, when he said: “I even knew all the ewes in the stud by sight. Some people think sheep look all the same but to me they all look different.”
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
What information was Taito Phillip Field trying to hide, with regard to the material gain he was obtaining in return for making immigration submissions, when, after the 2 October meeting, the police provided information that Mr Field had identified Mr Chaikhunpol as the leak to the media and that Mr Field had pressured Mr Chaikhunpol, and when Noel Ingram QC described Mr Field’s cooperation on the matter as “not particularly helpful”?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I repeat that I am not responsible for the actions or statements of a member of Parliament. But I would observe that when demoting Dr Smith, Dr Brash said: “It was … time for a new face.” No doubt the member will be demoted further if he does not get a new question.
Madam SPEAKERDr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
What information was Taito Phillip Field trying to hide, with regard to the material gain he was making from immigrants, when Mr Field rang Mr Patrick Cole on 27 September 2005, 5 days after the Ingram inquiry was established, and told Mr Cole to tell his son to “back off” from his public comments on Mr Field’s purchase and subsequent resale of their home at 51 Church Street and that he was sending someone around to get Mr Cole’s signature on a form stating that he had nothing against Mr Field?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I repeat that as Minister of Immigration, I am not responsible for the actions of a member of Parliament. However, to repeat those assertions constitutes an error of judgment, rather like posing—
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Two related interjections were made. In the end, when put together, they actually reflected very badly on you. They were made by Dr Nick Smith.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
The member said: “You’re rotten to the core.” Whether he was referring to either you or Mr Cunliffe, both are out of order.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
It is not what I said, but I am happy to withdraw and apologise. My reference was in respect of the Government.
If the member used that term, he has been here long enough to know that it is a reference to the Chair.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
What information was Taito Phillip Field trying to hide when, last week, Mr Field provided Mr Sunan Siriwan with over $500 in cash, then sought to influence what Mr Siriwan may tell the police; and how can the Minister have any confidence in information provided by Taito Phillip Field, given that he has continually and consistently attempted to manipulate the flow of relevant information from immigrants from whom he has gained significant material benefit?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I repeat that I do not have responsibility for the statements made by a member of Parliament. But, of course, the member concerned is expert in providing full disclosure, which he inflicts every month on his constituents via a pin-up calendar.