1. Dr DON BRASH (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she stand by her statement in relation to Noel Ingram’s report into allegations concerning Taito Phillip Field that “Dr Ingram found that no conflict existed, or appeared to exist, between Mr Field’s private interests and the use of his influence as a Minister.”; if not, why not?
What is the Prime Minister’s response to the assertion of Mr Sunan Siriwan, made on Television One’s Sunday programme, that Taito Phillip Field, then a Minister in her Government, promised Mr Siriwan a work permit for New Zealand in return for slave labour in Samoa?
Does the Prime Minister see any irony in the fact that her Government, which pretends to have such strong views about employment law, has amongst its number a man who employed Mr Siriwan and his partner in exchange for food and board?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I do not have any evidence of an employment relationship. I suggest the member take his matters up with the police.
What is the Prime Minister’s response to the revelation on Television One’s Sunday programme that Mr Siriwan has sworn an affidavit alleging that he was told what to say to the Ingram inquiry?
What faith can New Zealanders have in the Prime Minister’s half-million-dollar Ingram inquiry in light of the clear allegation that one of her Labour members of Parliament pressured a key witness to lie to the inquiry?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
If the member has that concern he should put it to the police. I note that he generally has no confidence in the police—this Government does.
Does the Prime Minister now regret setting up a toothless inquiry with weak terms of reference, which was designed to cover up activities of one of her MPs and former Ministers; and does she wish to express regret to the New Zealand public for the way in which she has handled this matter?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
There was obviously no such inquiry, and I repeat Dr Ingram’s words: “Even if I had possessed the power to administer oaths, and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, the process of inquiry may not have been significantly more satisfactory.”