12. Dr the Hon LOCKWOOD SMITH (National—Rodney) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
What has been the total cost to date of the inquiry by Noel Ingram QC into alleged conflicts of interest involving Taito Phillip Field?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
The information on costs will be released when the inquiry is complete and all costs are known. I do not consider progress reports on costs appropriate as they could be deemed to be placing pressure on the inquiry. The inquiry should take as long as necessary.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Does the Prime Minister stand by her statement of 14 September last year that: “I think the only thing he is probably guilty of is trying to be helpful to someone.”?
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
If there is no substance to the allegations against the honourable Taito Phillip Field, why has a report that she herself initially estimated would take 9 working days to complete now taken over 7 months?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
As I have consistently said, the report must take as long as required to be full and frank.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Has the Prime Minister seen a draft of the report; if so, was the report in the Trans Tasman of 27 April, that the honourable Taito Phillip Field was playing “hardball with the Labour Party over the examination of his dealings with the immigrant community” accurate; if not, why has the release of the report taken so long?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I know of nothing to substantiate the quote the member has referred to, nor have I read a draft report.
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith Link to this
Did the honourable Taito Phillip Field’s former electorate agents Maria Coady and Siniva Papalii give evidence to the inquiry; if not, why have such key people not provided evidence to it?