1. JOHN KEY (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she stand by her statement that her Government wanted a culture of “moderation, thrift, and service to the public”; if so, is she confident that that is understood by all Government entities?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
Yes; and yes—including by the Housing New Zealand Corporation over the past 24 hours.
Does the Prime Minister agree with the statement of her Minister of Housing in the House yesterday that the Housing New Zealand Corporation conference at the luxurious Tongariro Lodge was “worth it” and she was “all for it”; if not, why not?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
For the record, I believe that the venue was inappropriate. That point of view has been put to the chair of the Housing New Zealand Corporation board, and he concurs with it completely, as does the Minister.
Is the Prime Minister saying that the Minister of Housing, when she came to the House yesterday and defended that conference at the luxurious Tongariro Lodge, was completely and utterly wrong?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Some good may come from officials getting together from time to time, but it should not be at a lodge like that.
Did the Prime Minister have any discussions with the Minister of Housing following her endorsement of the conference, and is that why Maryan Street has changed her tune overnight and is now admitting that the Tongariro Lodge conference was “not a good look”?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I have made it clear throughout that the choice of that accommodation was inappropriate.
Can the Prime Minister confirm the statement made by the Minister of State Services on the radio this morning that both he and the Prime Minister were “outraged” by the Housing New Zealand Corporation conference at Tongariro Lodge; if so, why did the Minister of Housing tell the House yesterday that the conference was “worth it” and she was “all for it”?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I can confirm what the Minister of State Services said. I know that the Minister of Housing does not believe that the venue was appropriate. But, of course, newer members—like Kate Wilkinson—do not always express themselves in the way that they should.
Does the Prime Minister think that the recent $350,000 golden handshake for the chief executive of Transpower, Ralph Craven, is an example of thrift and moderation, when so many New Zealand taxpayers will be struggling to pay their power bills this coming winter because of the tough economic conditions?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
No; that sum is not appropriate. The new chair of the board, who had no responsibility for the sum, has said as much. Nor do I think it is exactly moderation for the Leader of the Opposition to have 36 staff in his office.