4. SU’A WILLIAM SIO (Labour—Māngere) Link to this
to the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
Did she receive advice from her ministry in relation to the Pacific Economic Development Agency proposal; if so, when?
Was the description on Morning Report wrong when it said the Pacific Economic Development Agency’s flimsy application had no budget, no delivery mechanism, no management structure, and no outcomes; if so, why?
Mr SPEAKERI just want to make sure that I heard the question correctly. The Minister has no responsibility for what a news agency might say. I may have misunderstood the question.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The member asked whether the description that was aired was correct.
I accept the point the honourable member makes. I invite the member to therefore repeat his question.
Was the description on Morning Report wrong when it said the Pacific Economic Development Agency’s flimsy application had no budget, no delivery mechanism, no management structure, and no outcomes; if so, why?
When she stated on Morning Report today that the Pacific Economic Development Agency appropriation is now multi-year and contestable, will groups have to apply through the Pacific Economic Development Agency or can they apply directly to her ministry in future financial years?
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know you will not rule that we must have yes or no answers, but when a Minister gets an either/or question, he or she cannot just say “No.”.
I am always commending Ministers when they give brief, concise answers. The Minister said “No.”, and I presume she meant that no, it was not contestable. If it was different, the Minister had better correct that impression.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think she was directly quoted as saying that it was going to be contestable. The question was whether it was contestable through the Pacific Economic Development Agency or contestable through the ministry.
To avoid confusion I ask Su’a William Sio to repeat his question and we will let the Minister hear it again to make sure she is satisfied she has given the House the answer she has intended.
When she stated on Morning Report today that the Pacific Economic Development Agency appropriation is now multi-year and contestable, will groups have to apply through the Pacific Economic Development Agency or can they apply directly to her ministry in future financial years?
Hon GEORGINA TE HEUHEU Link to this
No, they do not have to apply through the Pacific Economic Development Agency.
When will she admit to the New Zealand public and the Pacific community that this deal was forged in October 2008, committed to in 2009, stitched up in March 2010, and announced in May this year?
Hon GEORGINA TE HEUHEU Link to this
I have no responsibility for anything that was forged at the time that he said. I was not even a Minister of Pacific Island Affairs at that time.