5. Hon PETE HODGSON (Labour—Dunedin North) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
On what day was Immigration New Zealand’s investigation file concerning Kanwaljit Bakshi made over to the New Zealand Police?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Immigration) Link to this
I am advised that the case was first referred to the police on 20 July 2009. The file was subsequently handed over on 28 July.
When a copy of the first investigation report was made public, why did the Minister then ask his officials at the Department of Labour to investigate why the Official Information Act request had not gone through his office?
Mr SPEAKERHon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
It is a common approach in Ministers’ offices under this Government, as it was under the previous Government, that Ministers operate under a no-surprises policy with regard to their departments.
Does the Minister accept that the second investigation into Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi arose only because officials released information concerning the first investigation to the New Zealand Herald, and that had that information not been released no second investigation would be under way?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
The consistent approach right throughout this matter is that if information comes to light that warrants further investigation, Immigration New Zealand should proceed in that manner. I have made that very clear to the department.
Will any future Official Information Act requests concerning Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi be handled by departmental officials alone, or will the Minister continue to require his officials to pass any such requests to his ministerial office for his personal perusal?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
All Official Information Act requests that go to the department, apart from those of a very minor statistical nature, come to the attention of the Minister’s office under the no-surprises policy.
Why was a planned interview of Department of Labour officials, arranged in June by the New Zealand Herald, called off by the Minister’s political adviser Mr James Watson?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
It was not called off. The department can interview whom it likes, when it likes, with regard to any investigation.
Does the Minister understand that the more he seeks to vet Official Information Act requests regarding his colleague Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, and the more he interferes with the free access of the media to his officials regarding his colleague Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, the more likely it is that he will be viewed as protecting his colleague Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
The member over there is making an allegation, and I invite him to make it outside the House.