10. Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Māori Party) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
He whakamanawatanga tō te Pirimia ki ōna Minita katoa; ki te kore, he aha ai?
[Does she have confidence in all her Ministers; if not, why not?]
He aha i kore ai i riro i a Dover Samuels, te Minita Tuarua o Ngā Whare rāua ko Mahara Okeroa, te Minita Tuarua mō te Papa Atawhai, ngā tūnga matua i te wā kei tāwāhi a Chris Carter?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[Why then have the Hon Dover Samuels, Associate Minister of Housing, and the Hon Mahara Okeroa, Associate Minister of Conservation,notbeen appointed as Acting Ministers in these major roles while the Hon Chris Carter is out of the country?]
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
There is no standard rule that an Associate Minister is made Acting Minister when the Minister is absent, particularly when the Associate Minister is outside Cabinet; in fact, it is far more common for a Minister inside Cabinet to be made the Acting Minister.
Tariana TuriaGiven the evidence presented in the House last week that the Hon Rick Barker had signed letters regarding Vietnam veterans that he had not even read, what confidence does the Prime Minister have in his ability to take up responsibility in two such critical portfolios?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The member is incorrect. Mr Barker did not say he had not read the letter. She should not believe everything that Rodney Hide whispers in her ear.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It is very clear that the Minister signed out a letter that he had not read, because the letter was incorrect.
Madam SPEAKER
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Given Tariana Turia’s desire to promote Dover Samuels and Mahara Okeroa, has the Prime Minister received any reports that Tariana Turia has attempted to convince ACT party members to join the Māori Party?
No, that is not—[ Interruption] I am sorry, no; I am not being difficult here, but I am struggling to see the connection.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Madam Speaker, with respect, when we see a political party holding a convention and inviting a leader of another political party, I think we are entitled to draw certain inferences—and that is what I am doing.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
People cannot be saved, in the case of ACT, from its stupid invitation list.
No; please be seated. Such reports must always relate to ministerial responsibility. It is not the Prime Minister’s responsibility to comment on other political parties’ methods of organisation.
Are these Māori members, these Associate Ministers, receiving special treatment; is it a matter of privilege that they are not being exposed to ministerial duties, or are they the last cab off the rank?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
No. They are both valued Associate Ministers outside Cabinet. But I am sure, of course, that the member will be keen to know that in the Labour Party members act as a united group. We do not have individuals going off in their own directions—unlike those in the ACT and Māori parties.