6. Hon PETE HODGSON (Labour—Dunedin North) Link to this
to the Minister of Justice
What advice did he receive from the Prime Minister when he consulted him before stating that “it is extremely unlikely that the Government will move to raise excise tax as part of its alcohol reform agenda”?
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) Link to this
The consultation referred to in the member’s question occurred in the context of a meeting of a number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister. My statement echoed the collective view of that meeting.
At the time he received the advice from his Prime Minister was he aware that the Prime Minister had an existing interest in Highwater Vineyard Ltd?
I simply followed the processes that were put in place in order for that announcement to be made. I outlined in the answer to the primary question how that came about. I have nothing more to add.
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question was: “At the time that he received the advice from his Prime Minister was he aware that the Prime Minister had an existing interest in Highwater Vineyard Ltd?”, so it was a fairly narrow question.
My answer to the primary question referred to the consultation portion of the question. My answer to the primary question did not refer to any advice I had received from the Prime Minister. In fact, the consultation portion of the member’s question was verified by way of a written question he asked me some days ago but the issue of advice, as I understand it through the Clerk’s Office, was not verified, so I took a broad view concentrating on the consultation aspect, which was verified.
Mr SPEAKERI think the Minister has made an interesting point: he has told the House he did not receive any specific advice from the Prime Minister; the consultation was part of a general consultation with Ministers. That is why I believe he cannot answer more precisely about any advice it might be alleged he received from the Prime Minister. That is why I do not believe I can assist the member on this occasion with any further answer to that particular supplementary question, but I am sure the member would like to ask further supplementary questions.
At the time he was consulting with his Prime Minister was he aware that the Prime Minister had an existing interest in Highwater Vineyard Ltd?
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Just before that question was answered, Nick Smith made an extremely unparliamentary remark. I take offence and I know that other members take offence. [ Interruption]
A point of order is being heard. I apologise to the member but I did not hear what the interjection was. I can only ask the Hon Dr Nick Smith whether he did, in fact, make an unparliamentary comment, and if he did I ask him to withdraw and apologise for it.
Hon Dr Nick SmithThe Hon Dr Nick Smith will now get to his feet and withdraw and apologise to the House with some seriousness.
I would have preferred it to be done without a smile on the member’s face because I find that—[ Interruption] I find it offensive to use the open microphone to make such a further allegation when all I had asked was whether he had made an offensive remark. I take a dim view of that.
Has he met at any time with Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd regarding the Government’s alcohol reform agenda; if so, can he recall with whom he met?
Yes, I have met with Foodstuffs and with a range of industry representatives. I met with the Alcohol Advisory Council and a whole group of people leading into discussions. The member might be interested to know that since the Law Commission has tabled its report I have met with no one, and will not do so until the Government responds formally to the report. But leading up to that time, I certainly met with representatives. Although off the top of my head I cannot advise the specific names of those with whom I have met, I can tell the member that I met with the managing directors of Foodstuffs (Auckland), Foodstuffs (Wellington) Cooperative Society, and Foodstuffs (South Island), and with Melissa Hood, whom I believe also has a role with Foodstuffs. In recent times I also opened in my electorate a Foodstuffs warehouse, where I am sure many employees of Foodstuffs were present.