12. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National—Rodney) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
Does he continue to claim that he has reviewed the immigration matters covered in the Ingram report?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Immigration) Link to this
Yes. A number of immigration matters are covered in the Ingram report, which I have read on a number of occasions, as previously stated to the member on 12 September, 14 September, and 15 November 2006.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Would information that Sunan Siriwan was working on Taito Phillip Field’s house in Samoa at the time Mr Field was making representations to the then Associate Minister, Damien O’Connor, on Mr Siriwan’s behalf have been relevant information to the Associate Minister’s decision to issue Mr Siriwan with a work visa?
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
In considering the crucial issue as to the knowledge of the Associate Minister, Damien O’Connor, of Mr Siriwan’s working on Taito Phillip Field’s house in Samoa at the time he signed his letter of 23 June 2005 directing the New Zealand Immigration Service to issue a work visa for Mr Siriwan, would the evidence of the Hon Phil Goff have been relevant, as Mr Goff knew that Mr Siriwan was working on Taito Phillip Field’s house in Samoa, because he had met him there, working on the floor of the house, almost exactly 3 months earlier?
Hon Phil GoffI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I have ignored that member for a long time, but he has constantly misrepresented the truth in this case. At no stage has anybody demonstrated that I knew anything at all about Mr Siriwan, other than the fact that when I, accompanied by a number of senior officials, visited the house being built, there were two workmen in place. What the member is saying is inaccurate.
Madam SPEAKERWould the member be seated. The member knows, as many members do know, that that was not a point of order.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
The Ingram inquiry found absolutely no evidence of impropriety by the member Mr Phil Goff, and, as the House has heard, Mr Goff strenuously denies that false assertion by the member.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Is it correct that the Ingram inquiry concluded that the evidence does not support a finding that Mr Field knew that Mr Siriwan was working on his house in Samoa at the time of his final representations to the Associate Minister, Damien O’Connor, on 17 May 2005, yet the Hon Phil Goff knew that Mr Siriwan was working on Mr Field’s house during that time, because, along with Mr Field, he had seen Mr Siriwan screening the floor on 18 March 2005, and had spoken to him about the work he was doing to level the floor in preparation for tiling it?
I wish to make a personal explanation in relation to the comments the member has just made. Several years ago, when I was visiting Samoa on Government business for meetings with the Samoan Government, I travelled with a large number of people—I think the group might have included the Commissioner of Police from New Zealand—and we called in to the house being constructed for Taito Phillip Field. We looked briefly at the house. I saw two people there. I was introduced to them but I do not recall their names. I have no idea of their background or identity. For the member to say that I knew that a Mr Siriwan was working there is inaccurate. The member should not continue to make statements that he knows to be inaccurate.
Darren HughesI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. While the Hon Phil Goff was giving his personal explanation to the House, which was meant to be heard in silence, Nick Smith interjected twice. You have given warnings twice today already about members breaking those Standing Orders.
Yes, and I have given two lots of warnings. So would the members who interjected during that time please leave the Chamber. I did not hear exactly who the members were. The members know. There was interruption during the personal explanation. Would those members please leave the Chamber. I have given two warnings.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It would seem to me that the personal explanation from Mr Goff was not concluded.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Did the Hon Phil Goff provide relevant information to the Ingram inquiry on the immigration issue as to whether Taito Phillip Field knew that Sunan Siriwan was working on his house in Samoa at the time of Mr Field’s final meeting with Damien O’Connor and his private secretary on 17 May 2005?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
In the first place—in answer to the member—the member Phil Goff’s position has been fully covered by his personal explanation. In the second place, Dr Lockwood Smith has advanced no evidence to this House that the Hon Phil Goff had any specific knowledge of people working on Taito Phillip Field’s house. Thirdly, the Ingram inquiry found absolutely no evidence of impropriety by the Hon Phil Goff. And, fourthly, in any case, the Minister of Immigration is not responsible for the statements made to the Ingram inquiry.