1. Dr DON BRASH (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Has she, her Ministers, or any member of her ministerial staff met with the Controller and Auditor-General in relation to his inquiry into election advertising; if so, what was the purpose of those meetings?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
I have had no such meetings with the Auditor-General, nor have Ministers or staff met with him in their ministerial or portfolio-related capacities.
Does the Prime Minister stand by her statement of 23 September that for the Controller and Auditor-General to report exercising his Controller’s function would be “an inappropriate use of the Controller’s power”, and what is her response to the fact that Mr Brady has done exactly that anyway?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
How the Controller and Auditor-General chooses to report is entirely a matter for his judgment.
What influence was the Prime Minister seeking to have when she responded to the draft finding of the Controller and Auditor-General that Labour’s pledge card had been unlawfully paid for from her parliamentary budget, by stating that “He has a serious credibility problem.”?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I have constantly drawn attention to the need for fairness, consistency, and natural justice, and pointed out that even political parties are entitled to that.
What did the Prime Minister mean when she said in the Dominion Post of 22 September that the Controller and Auditor-General needed to “go back to the drawing board.”?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
The Auditor-General put up draft views, which the National Party leaked. No doubt he has been considering his views since then.
Does the Prime Minister have confidence in Kevin Brady as Controller and Auditor-General; if not, why not?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
It is not my position to express judgment one way or another on a man who I understand is an Officer of Parliament.