6. Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does he stand by all statements made by him and on his behalf on the matters which led to Pansy Wong’s resignation?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY
Mr SPEAKERBefore I call the honourable member, I say that excessive interjection from the back of the House is unnecessary. I think the member knows whom I am looking at.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Does he stand by the statement made on his behalf in the House last Wednesday by Bill English, who said: “the member’s allegations are disgraceful, they have impugned a member of Parliament in a way that is absolutely unnecessary and unjustified.”; if so, does he still maintain that revealing Pansy Wong’s misuse of taxpayer funding has been unnecessary?
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Does he stand by his statement on Breakfast this morning in relation to the Hon Pete Hodgson: “If he’d asked a question that was the right one, I’d at least, um, even—even reluctantly give him some credit.”; if so, is he suggesting that if the public want transparency around his Ministers’ misuse of taxpayers’ funds, that depends on the right questions being asked rather than his Ministers’ honesty?
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Does he stand by his statements on Radio New Zealand this morning when he said that he advised Pansy Wong not to talk until a Parliamentary Service investigation into her use of subsidised international travel has been completed, because “MPs need to be able to answer questions honestly, truthfully and, hopefully, directly.”; if so, why, when Pansy Wong is the only person in possession of the all the facts, is she not allowed to share those facts with the media and the public?
To the best of my knowledge, she is not, but the Parliamentary Service report will actually prove what the facts are.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Does he stand by the statement of his spokesperson Kevin Taylor, calling Pete Hodgson—I abbreviate—an “f-wit” for questioning the legitimacy of Pansy Wong’s travel and business affairs?
Hon Rodney HideI just ask the House—[ Interruption] I am on my feet, and there will be no further interjection. The House will settle down. These are not easy issues and I respect that fact.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Does he stand by the statement of his spokesperson Kevin Taylor, calling Pete Hodgson—I abbreviate—an “f-wit” for questioning the legitimacy of Pansy Wong’s business affairs?