10. JUDITH COLLINS (National—Clevedon) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Does he believe his ability to perform his duties as Minister for Social Development and Employment could be impaired, in light of allegations made against him in Investigate magazine; if not, why not?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
No, as Minister I have no responsibility for the views expressed in Investigate magazine.
Does the Minister believe that his ability to perform his duties as Minister for Social Development and Employment would benefit from him issuing defamation proceedings against Investigate magazine and Mr Wishart, or is he willing to leave unanswered allegations amounting to misuse of his ministerial warrant?
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think it is very important in this case that it is made clear to the House that allegations of a criminal nature were made about a Minister in the past. They were made about him in his personal capacity. Mr Wishart has suggested that the Minister used his position in relation to the Ombudsman—that is what he has said. Of course, any individual who has been dealt with by a Government department has the right to approach the Ombudsman. That is not something that is a ministerial responsibility, it is something that every individual has the right to do, and therefore the member cannot mix up personal matters and ministerial responsibility.
Madam SPEAKERI thank the member for the comment, but I listened carefully to the question and it is in the terms of the Standing Orders, and the Minister will answer the question within the terms of his responsibility.
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Those matters have been fully investigated, and as far as I am concerned there is nothing further to add.
Does the Minister believe that his ability to perform his duties as Minister for Social Development and Employment would benefit from him issuing defamation proceedings against Investigate magazine and Mr Wishart, or is he willing to leave unanswered allegations that he acted improperly towards young women in his charge?
Does the Minister accept that his ministry has overriding policy responsibility for the well-being of our most vulnerable children, and that allegations such as the ones made recently in Investigate magazine prevent him from doing his job?
What assurances has the Minister given to the Prime Minister that allegations of him influencing and intimidating the police will not affect his ability to perform his job as Minister for Social Development and Employment?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I think questions about my performance and capacity to perform in the role should be addressed to the Prime Minister.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I asked the Minister what assurances, if any, he had given the Prime Minister. I should not have to ask the Prime Minister what assurances she has received, if I am already asking him what he has told the Prime Minister.
The Minister addressed the question, and the member is perfectly entitled to lay down a question at a future time to do so.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. On that basis you are saying that the Minister does not need to answer any question—from now on, his answer can be just “Ask the Prime Minister.”?
No, I am sorry. I addressed that point of order. The Minister is entitled to address the question. The Minister did address the question. It related to the subject matter of the questioner. It may not have been to the satisfaction of the questioner.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. How can it possibly be an answer addressing the question, when all the Minister did was say “Go ask the Prime Minister.”? The question from my colleague was quite specific, about what assurances he had given, as Minister, to the Prime Minister. That is a question that can be directed only to the Minister. It was directed quite properly, and the answer did not address the question.
Hon Mark BurtonI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I have been listening for 2 days, and this has been happening repeatedly and we have just seen another example of it. A member raised a point of order, you made a ruling, the same member got up and basically engaged in a continuing debate with you about your ruling, and then a second National member got up and continued the same process. That is a blatant abuse of the Standing Orders, and it really is time that the National Party front bench was called to account.