5. GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Is she satisfied with arrangements for the handling of sensitive Government documents by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; if not, why not?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
The systems in place for document handling have been in place for many years. I expect the system to be reviewed in the wake of this report, but I also accept that the best system will not thwart blatant dishonesty.
Does the Prime Minister think it is acceptable for commercially sensitive documents to be left lying around an office, and would she agree that if anyone was looking for a document worth pinching, the best place to look may be the basket labelled “For confidential shredding.”?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Clearly, documents are not left just lying around; they are put in a tray for shredding, and they are removed for shredding by a person with the clearance to do so.
Can the Prime Minister explain to the House why a Cabinet paper that was so commercially sensitive that every copy was numbered and delivered in sealed envelopes was then tossed into a basket and was able to be read by anyone who walked into the office?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I am advised that the processes followed are those that have been followed in the department for many years. Those processes are now being reviewed.
Is it common practice for Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet messengers to view the agenda for Cabinet committee meetings?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Again, I am advised that this man, who had the appropriate clearance, was the person responsible for distributing the Cabinet committee agendas.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. That was not an answer to the question. We know what this man did. The question is whether it is common practice for people distributing agendas to have access to read them.
Madam SPEAKERI think the Prime Minister did address the question, but if she wanted to add any more she could. I think it was addressed. [ Interruption] It was addressed. I was thinking about the question and the answer that was given. As members know, they cannot require a specific answer to their question. That is the point, really. If members want to change those rules, I would more than welcome an item being brought before the Standing Orders Committee to do so.
Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am happy with the rules. I am concerned about the fact that it is for you to adjudicate them, not to check with the Prime Minister whether the answer to the question was in order. It is for you to decide, Madam Speaker, and you alone.
Yes, and, in fact, I did make the ruling, Mr Hide. I do not need you to make a comment on my ruling.
Has the Prime Minister seen the terms of reference for the Securities Commission investigation into the leak, in particular its intention to consider if any Government and/or State sector policies and procedures for handling non-public, market sensitive information related to securities were appropriate and properly applied in this case, and will she assure the House that the Securities Commission investigations will have unimpeded access to the offices of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and any other Government or ministerial office they may wish to make inquiries of?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
No, I have not seen those terms of reference, but just as the Securities Commission is very anxious to see good process, so are we. I am sure that all relevant departments will work very closely with the commission.
I seek leave to table the terms of reference for the Securities Commission investigation into the leak in which the commission makes it clear it wants to investigate the activities in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and, it would appear, other ministries.
Keith LockeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It is usual for Ministers to table documents they refer to. Given that the leaked Cabinet paper is well known to Telecom, to Mike Ryan, the Onslow Tarbabies cycle club, and who knows who else, will the Prime Minister put MPs in the loop, unbundle the Cabinet paper, and table it in the House today?
No, that is not a point of order; that is a supplementary question, and if the member had wished to ask a supplementary question, he was perfectly entitled to do so. [ Interruption] That member may wish to leave the Chamber if he makes one more comment like that. That is not Mr Brownlee; it is his colleague at the back.