1. Dr DON BRASH (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she still stand by her stated objective “to restore public confidence in the political integrity of Parliament and the electoral process.”; if not, why not?
Has she seen yesterday’s announcement that the Auditor-General is investigating the Labour Party’s breach of Vote Parliamentary Service appropriations by its use of taxpayers’ money to fund its campaign pledge card, and can she tell the House what steps she is prepared to take as Prime Minister to rebuild public confidence in Parliament and the electoral system, in light of this investigation?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Madam Speaker, as you have just ruled, there is no ministerial responsibility for the first part of that question. On the second part, I have for over 6¼ years worked very hard to restore the integrity of political processes by ensuring that Labour keeps its word—and we have implemented every promise, including interest-free student loans, which the National Party cannot make up its mind on.
Does the Prime Minister accept that an Audit Office investigation that concludes that taxpayers’ funds were unlawfully used on the Labour Party pledge card can only further damage public confidence in Parliament and the electoral process; if so, what steps is she prepared to take to resolve this matter now and live up to her earlier lofty statements?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Again, I have no ministerial responsibility for the matter the member has raised. I expect, though, that he will be rushing to take responsibility for this leaflet paid for from parliamentary funding.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
Does the Prime Minister believe that the public can have confidence in the integrity of Parliament, when so much parliamentary time and resources are being used in dirt digging, personal attacks, noisy barracking, and character smearing of other members?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Absolutely not, but I note with some satisfaction that it is getting the main proponents of the smear campaigns no traction whatsoever.
Does the Prime Minister understand that the Auditor-General’s investigation, which may well result in the finding that her office has acted unlawfully, and a demand that the money be repaid, can only be seriously damaging to public confidence in Parliament and the political process; if so, will she, as Prime Minister, show some leadership on this issue now, and require that her party pay the money back and apologise?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Again, I have no responsibility whatsoever for the first part of that question. [ Interruption]
Madam SPEAKERRt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I repeat there is no ministerial responsibility for the first part of that question. Obviously, as a Government we always cooperate with the Auditor-General. I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Dr Nick Smith has interjected constantly on me despite your previous injunction, and I ask you to take appropriate action.
I want members to please keep their barracking at a level that enables other members to hear the responses.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Should GST, if it is applicable to any transaction—politically related or otherwise—be paid, or is there one law for most political parties and another law for a different one? [ Interruption]
An opinion has been sought. The Prime Minister is not responsible for anyone else’s policies or parties, but opinions are, in fact, permitted within the Standing Orders.
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
The problem the police ran into in respect of that matter was that no one in the National Party understood GST or was prepared to take any responsibility for it.
Can the Prime Minister inform the House what obligations she has to support the Auditor-General as an important Officer of Parliament; and how can putting the Auditor-General in a position where he will be forced to find that her party leader’s budget has been spent unlawfully possibly contribute to rebuilding public confidence in Parliament and the electoral process?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
As the member knows, the Auditor-General is not forced to find anything.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
Is the Prime Minister concerned that the collaboration of one party with outside agitators, such as the Exclusive Brethren, to produce leaflets that contain malicious lies about other parties brings Parliament and the electoral process into disrepute?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Indeed, I do believe that smear campaigns by outside organisations, conniving with the National Party, bring the electoral process into disrepute. Further, I see that the Exclusive Brethren are up to exactly the same tricks in Tasmania, to the detriment of the Greens. If there is one thing this Government wants to clean up, it is the smutty sort of behaviour that the National Party engaged in with the Exclusive Brethren.
Gerry Brownlee