3. GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she have confidence in the Minister of Foreign Affairs; if so, why?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
Yes, because he is a hard-working and conscientious Minister.
Was it in New Zealand’s interests for our Minister of Foreign Affairs to interrupt mid-sentence the man who may well be the next President of the United States as he was outlining a case for better relations between New Zealand and the US, and, in particular, giving his advocacy for New Zealand getting a free-trade agreement?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Senator McCain’s support for New Zealand is fantastic. We all heard it. Mr Peters was keen to get on with the meeting and hear more about it.
Can she assure the House, next time all the planets align and a senior US politician tells us we are allies and that he supports us getting a free-trade agreement, that she, Mr Mallard, or, now, Mr Peters will not inappropriately open their mouths or let their egos get in the way and put New Zealand on the back foot?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I very much welcome the strong support that Senator McCain has expressed for New Zealand, and I am pleased the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ visit was such a success that we got those expressions of support.
Can she confirm her call in her post-Cabinet press conference yesterday for Mr Peters and the media involved to repair their relationships “like mature adults.”; and can we take it that the Prime Minister shares the view of the vast majority of New Zealanders that her Minister of Foreign Affairs has behaved like anything but a mature adult?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
What I can confirm is that at the conference I called for a ceasefire of hostilities. If we would like to have one in the Middle East, it is fair enough to call for one here.
Peter BrownWill the Prime Minister take this opportunity to outline to the House some of the many positive outcomes from the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Washington?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
The very positive outcome of the visit is that the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs was received at the highest level of the foreign policy establishment in the United States of America. Further, the United States demonstrated a willingness to move further in the relationship with New Zealand than it ever did in 9 years of National Government. That is why National has tried to wreck the trip.
Keith LockeWhen the Prime Minister talks about a ceasefire in the Israel-Lebanon conflict, is she calling for an unconditional ceasefire as some UN officials are pushing for, or a conditional ceasefire requiring, for example, the prior release of the captured Israeli soldiers as the United States is pushing for; if she requires any conditions prior to a ceasefire, how would she then justify the ongoing death and destruction that would ensue in both Israel and Lebanon?
Madam SPEAKERRt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
There are a number of aspects to that question, but I want to say to the member that the New Zealand Government strongly supports the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for a ceasefire forthwith, so that the parties can get back to looking at some longer-term solutions to the problems in the Middle East. For a long time, New Zealand Governments have supported a two-State solution for Israel and Palestine, with both sides respecting each other’s security, boundaries, and right to exist.
Can she explain why, only minutes after she at her press conference called for Mr Peters to take a press secretary with him on important visits in the future, Mr Peters told her publicly to take a running jump, and can she confirm that Mr Peters’ relationship with her is now roughly on a par with that which he enjoys with the press gallery?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Of course, Mr Peters said no such thing. He said he did not want to make the cost on the—
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Madam Speaker, every answer I have given has been interrupted in this way. I want to quote exactly what Mr Peters said—
Will the member please be seated. All members are entitled to hear the answers to questions, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to do so. I therefore ask members to please not make their interjections a barrage. The odd interjection is perfectly permitted, but other members and those who listen to Parliament are entitled to hear questions and answers.
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
The exact quote is: “I am not going to expand the cost when it is not required.” That is reasonable. The whole point about this is that the National Party has not been able to poison the trip. The trip was a great success, and the United States administration is moving on.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. We have now had three questions, and I assume this one is just about at its end. There has been a lot of interjection that you have pulled us up on, but the reason for it is the quality of the answers. I know that you do not arbitrate on that, but if Labour Ministers are to be reckless with the truth on almost every occasion, then where does that leave us? Obviously, it will leave us in a state of disarray and disruption.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
We have had a plea on that position a number of times in recent years, with the National Party, via its deputy leader, threatening the Speaker and the order of the House. What the National Party, or what Mr Brownlee, is saying—it is a sort of top-of-the-stairs approach to life—is that if Mr Brownlee does not like the answer, then he and his colleagues deserve the right to behave in an unparliamentary fashion. Madam Speaker, you are the sole person to maintain order, not the National Party caucus.