9. Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) Link to this
to the Minister of Labour
What is the status of the New Zealand Skills Strategy?
Hon KATE WILKINSON (Minister of Labour) Link to this
The Skills Strategy is currently under consideration, and I note that many of the actions under the 2008 Skills Strategy action plan continue to be implemented.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Did she brief the Prime Minister on the strategy, before the Job Summit?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
I have had many discussions and conversations with many of my ministerial colleagues before and after the Jobs Summit, and that conversation continues.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question specifically asked whether she had briefed the Prime Minister; it was not a general one about other ministerial colleagues. I ask you to ask her to address that question.
Mr SPEAKERThe question certainly was specific—had she briefed the Prime Minister—and the answer was that she had briefed many Ministers. I do not see why the Minister should not actually answer the question that was asked. I would ask the Minister, if she is able to—
Hon Bill EnglishI raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is not your job to have an opinion on whether Ministers should answer questions you want them to answer. Your job under the Standing Orders, as Dr Cullen pointed out yesterday, is simply to decide whether the question has been addressed. I share Dr Cullen’s view that to take a role beyond that is to take on a burden that eventually you may find difficult to get out from under.
I invite the member to read the relevant Standing Order. The first thing that the Standing Order requires is that the Minister answer the question. The nature of the answer must address the question. The question asked whether the Minister had briefed the Prime Minister. That is a fairly plain English question. I invite the Minister to answer.
Hon Gerry Brownlee Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The answer to that question was also plain English, with respect. She said she had briefed many ministerial colleagues. The Prime Minister is one of her ministerial colleagues. There were numerous meetings leading up to the Job Summit. Naturally, the Prime Minister was pivotal to those. Was there a specific briefing? That was not what was asked. The question was whether he was briefed, and the answer was given.
The Minister does not have to answer. If it is not in the public interest to answer a question, the Minister does not have to give an answer, but when a question is very plain the Minister can easily answer it, because the Minister knows the answer. The public has a right to have the executive held to account in this House. I invite the Minister, if she is able to, to answer the question.
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
Of course I have had discussions, briefings, and conversations with the Prime Minister and other ministerial colleagues, both before and after the Job Summit.
The Hon Trevor Mallard has the floor to ask his question. [ Interruption] The Leader of the House will respect the member asking the question.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Is the Minister satisfied that the Prime Minister understood the strategy when he answered questions in the House yesterday; if so, why?
David BennettHon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
I have seen a report that states: “Labour should be encouraging job hunters and small business, not scaremongering. It is simply irresponsible.” That was from the Newmarket Business Association, and it referred to Trevor Mallard.
I ask the Labour front-benchers to show respect to their colleague the Hon Trevor Mallard, who is seeking to ask a question.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Why is the Minister satisfied that the Prime Minister understood the strategy when he answered in the House yesterday?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
Because we have the very best Prime Minister that we have had in this country for the last decade.