3. GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) Link to this
to the Minister responsible for Ministerial Services
Does she share the concerns of the Auditor-General, who, in his inquiry into funding arrangements for Green Party liaison roles, stated that “there is a risk arising out of the three individuals being based in the Green Party’s parliamentary office … the 3 individuals may be drawn into activities outside the scope of the Vote Ministerial Services appropriations”; if not, why not?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Minister responsible for Ministerial Services) Link to this
No, because I have been advised by Ministerial Services that the measures the Auditor-General recommended to avoid that risk have already been put in place, and the Auditor-General states in his report: “No further steps are necessary beyond those the Department of Internal Affairs has agreed to take.”
What assurances can the Minister give the House that Ministerial Services funding for the Green Party liaison roles, and any other activities carried out by those people, will not be spent on Green Party parliamentary or political activities, and will she publicly release the protocols required by the Auditor-General?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Very clear guidelines are in place. The Department of Internal Affairs has worked with the Auditor-General on those, and I am satisfied they are appropriate. As to specific protocols, I am not sure what the member is referring to.
Sue BradfordIs the Minister confident that good progress is being made by this Government in its Buy Kiwi Made and energy-efficiency programmes, and that the relationship between Government spokespeople and Ministers is proceeding well within the guidelines set down by the Auditor-General?
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. That question asks about the arrangements around coalition dealings. To then ask the Prime Minister to report on the satisfaction of the Greens’ work in this area steps well outside the province of that question.
Madam SPEAKERI listened to the question quite closely, and it did actually relate to the guidelines that were, in fact, the subject of the Auditor-General’s report, so I ask the right honourable Prime Minister to address that question.
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK: I am satisfied the arrangements that have been made are absolutely in the interests of stable Government—which, of course, National members are not terribly interested in. I further wish to say that the work being done by Jeanette Fitzsimons on energy efficiency, and Sue Bradford on the Buy Kiwi Made campaign, are very important to the Government’s work programme.
Does the Prime Minister share the Auditor-General’s concerns that the person working 70 percent of the time for the Prime Minister in the liaison position is the same person working 30 percent of the time as a political adviser to the Green Party—and, therefore, will have conflicts of interest—and how does that benefit the country?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
No, because there are very clear guidelines. That benefits the country because it is in the interests of stable Government—something the National Party does not want.
Can the Prime Minister assure the House that, under the protocols, she has had the new furnishings for the Beehive ticked off as being bought in New Zealand or New Zealand - made?
Does the Prime Minister agree that the report effectively makes it clear that the Green Party, which has no responsibility for Government, is being granted additional funding to compensate its election losses, by a Prime Minister who will not hesitate to use taxpayer funds to ensure her own survival?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I think it is time the member read the Auditor-General’s report very carefully. [ Interruption] The Auditor-General has agreed that appropriate steps are in place to ensure stable Government, and that they are in line with appropriate expenditure. I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I heard Nick Smith once again interjecting on a response to a question. That has been constant.
Unless the response to the answer was unparliamentary, it is permitted. It is the barracking, in fact, that is not permitted.
I seek leave of the House to table the report of the inquiry into funding arrangements for the Green Party liaison roles, released by the Auditor-General.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
On the issue of buying New Zealand - made, and in the interests of satisfying the full ambit of Mr Brownlee’s question, is the food that is to be served in the Beehive New Zealand – made, and what quality is it?
I did allow the other question, so if the right honourable Prime Minister wants to give a very brief response? [ Interruption] I permitted Mr Brownlee’s question, which was very wide of the mark. Having done that, with no objection from his colleagues, I have permitted another.
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I would be extraordinarily surprised if the meat supplied for tomorrow, whether it is fish, chicken, beef, or lamb, is not Kiwi-made.