1. Dr DON BRASH (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
What did she mean when she stated, in relation to a stadium in Auckland for the Rugby World Cup, “it’s a no-brainer if you can find a brown field site which could be developed on within the very strict time parameters that there are, you’d do it.”?
Are media reports suggesting a cost of $700 million for a waterfront stadium in Auckland accurate; if not, what is the estimated cost of Auckland stadium proposals under consideration by the Government?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
No, I cannot advise whether such reports are accurate. What I can advise is that today the Minister for Sport and Recreation has met with the National Party’s spokesperson on sport, and we look forward to working in a constructive way with Mr McCully and others on a way forward to get a world-class stadium for New Zealand so that we can make a great success of hosting the world cup.
Will the Prime Minister give an absolute assurance to the House that no commitment will be made to a stadium proposal without cast-iron guarantees that it can be completed well within the 2011 timetable, particularly given the reported statement of the Managing Director of Ports of Auckland, Geoff Vazey:“A rugby stadium on Bledisloe simply is not doable in time. The risks are overwhelming, and I don’t think you can go back to the IRB and say: ‘Hey, can we put the event back a bit?’ ”
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I can assure the member that buildability is a key factor. If the member were following this developing issue in any detail, he would know that attention had moved on from the Bledisloe Wharf. [ Interruption]
Hon Harry Duynhoven Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. You have previously removed people from the House for making very strong interjections such as that one in the middle of questions, and I think Mr Hide is pushing his luck a bit to remain in the House, if he interrupts the question.
Madam SPEAKERI am sorry, the intervention was quite appropriate. It related to the question and the answer.
Dr Don Brash: Does the Prime Minister accept that, given the importance of the Rugby World Cup event to New Zealand, and the potential cost of any stadium proposal development, there should be as little secrecy as possible around Government plans, and can she advise the House when the detail of the Government’s plans will be available to be shared with the New Zealand public?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Of course the answer to the first part of the question is yes, and that is why the Minister for Sport and Recreation has taken the National Party into his confidence. When there is a proposal, or set of proposals, to be released, it will be released.
Ron MarkWhat details were discussed between the National Party and the Minister this morning, and at what stage is the Minister for Sport and Recreation considering having similar discussions with other parties in the House?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I understand that the Minister for Sport and Recreation has already had at least one discussion with the member’s leader. [ Interruption] If I were the National Party, I would not be laughing about that not percolating down the line, as clearly its spokesperson’s discussions have not percolated to Dr Brash.
Can the Prime Minister assure the House that proposals advanced in relation to the North Harbour Stadium and Carlaw Park, amongst others, have been given serious consideration, and are any of those proposals still alive at this stage?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
As I have advised the member, he has a spokesperson who has been in discussion with Mr Mallard today. This is prior to public release of what proposals may be on the table. I can only hope we make better progress while Dr Brash is away in London.
Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. We have an interesting situation whereby there is a lot of interest in the issue of the stadium, and the Prime Minister has said that it has moved on from Bledisloe Wharf and such and such a development and they have been in discussion with the National Party about that—and that is an answer in the House. But these are questions in the House. I think New Zealand First, the ACT party, the Green Party, and the Māori Party would actually like to know what the answers are to Dr Brash’s questions, rather than having the Prime Minister say that she has had a secret meeting with Mr McCully, and that is the answer.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The point that Mr Hide raises is not unlike the one I was going to raise myself. I asked the Prime Minister to give the House information, to give the House an assurance, and to give the House an indication of whether certain other proposals had been considered. I am fully briefed on what Mr Mallard told Mr McCully, but I am asking the Prime Minister to tell the House.
The Prime Minister did address the question, but if the member wishes to ask another supplementary question, he is perfectly entitled to do so.
Given the Prime Minister’s desire to have New Zealand lead the world in climate change and policy responses, why is this Government considering building a $1 billion white-elephant stadium on the waterfront in Auckland?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
As the Prime Minister, myself, I have formed no view whatsoever on that. I can advise that I will enthusiastically support whatever is chosen.