2. Dr DON BRASH (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she stand by her statement to the House yesterday in which she expressed confidence in the Ingram report into matters related to Taito Phillip Field; if not, why not?
Can the Prime Minister confirm media reports this afternoon that she has not asked Taito Phillip Field for his resignation?
Is the Prime Minister effectively telling the House that misleading the Ingram inquiry, taking bribes, altering official documents, threatening witnesses, and making false representations to a Minister to secure a ministerial discretion are all unacceptable behaviour on the part of a Minister but quite acceptable behaviour for a member of Parliament; if not, why does she continue to block attempts to get to the truth in relation to these allegations against Mr Field?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
On this side of the House we do not ask for resignations over allegations. Apparently, that is the standard of natural justice that goes on over there.
Can the Prime Minister confirm that Mr Ingram raised with her officials requests from witnesses who were prepared to appear before his inquiry provided they had access to legal advice and appropriate protection, and why did she decline to authorise such protection and legal advice?
Does she regret that no legal protection or legal advice was provided in the light of revelations in the Ingram report that on 2 October last, soon after the inquiry had commenced, Mr Field attended a meeting designed to establish the source of leaks to the media and to intimidate potential witnesses to the inquiry; and can the Prime Minister tell the House what construction can be placed on that action other than that she simply did not want to discover the truth?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Indeed, I think Dr Ingram told me everything I needed to know about the course forward, and that was that Mr Field should not be a Minister.
Has she discussed with her colleague H V Ross Robertson, the promoter of the parliamentary code of conduct, his obvious personal knowledge about Mr Siriwan’s engagement to work on Mr Field’s house in Samoa, in complete contradiction to Mr Field’s own account to the Ingram inquiry; if not, why does she not wish to see that conflict of evidence resolved?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
As I have advised the member, on the basis of the Ingram report I made a judgment; Mr Field is not a Minister.
Does she now have any regrets about her decision to restrict the terms of reference for the Ingram inquiry, thus making it impossible for key witnesses to give evidence in the light of continuing revelations about Mr Field’s conduct?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I repeat, the Ingram report told me as Prime Minister what I needed to know. There was no conflict of interest—
Madam SPEAKERRt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Unlike Robert Muldoon, I do not go around ordering inquiries into private members, or I might start with Dr Brash—
I am sorry. Would the Prime Minister please sit down. I could not hear that answer, and after I had asked members to enable the answer to be heard, there was the barraging again. I ask the Prime Minister to repeat her answer, please.
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Unlike Robert Muldoon, I do not order inquiries into private members. If I did, Dr Brash’s secret election funding, John Key’s electoral registration, and John Hayes’ rest home would all be good candidates for such investigations.