3. JUDITH COLLINS (National—Clevedon) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
How often does he exercise personal judgment in his role as Minister for Social Development and Employment?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
Often, and subject of course to existing Government policy and the collective decisions of my Cabinet colleagues.
What does it say of his ability to make sound judgments for one of our country’s most important ministries, when his judgment has seen him call the tennis ball allegations “ridiculous” and say that he “utterly refuted them”, then change track and merely say he has no recollection of the incident, and when his judgment has seen him prematurely release parts of his police report and say that it “vindicated him”, when police found the nine witnesses against him credible and that there was a prima facie case of assault against him?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Those allegations were exhaustively canvassed by a very lengthy police investigation, at the end of which the authorities made a decision to take no further action.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister was asked what it said about his ability to make sound judgments. I do not believe, if you consider his answer, that he actually addressed that question.
Madam SPEAKERWhat does it say of his personal judgment that he referred to the latest allegations of improper behaviour as “nonsense”, only to acknowledge later that there had been complaints, and then to apologise?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
The quote referred to was in relation to the articles on the Wishart website, and those allegations were despicable—as despicable as the comments of that member in the House yesterday.
OK—as long as we can now use “despicable”. What does it say of his personal judgment that he said to the House yesterday: “I completely refute the ridiculous statement that has just been made by Mr Hide”; and if does refute it, what does he now want to say to Geana Earl, who has backed up Mr Hide’s allegation?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I would say to Geana Earl that she should recall not only my refutation of her allegation but also that of the school and the female staff member, Ms Armstrong, who was present at the same time, which was communicated to her parents some years ago.
What does it say of his personal judgment that he said in this House he was not aware of any complaints made against him, when it has been alleged and verified that a student, a parent, and a teacher all laid complaints against him?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Like any member of this House, I am human and sometimes make mistakes. [ Interruption]
If you wish to remain in the Chamber in question time, please do not interrupt while the member is asking her question.
Heather RoyWhat advice would he give, as the Minister for Social Development and Employment, to a mother if a male teacher had entered a dormitory when girls were getting dressed or changing, whether or not the school had a policy in place, and can he detail any circumstances when it would be appropriate for a male teacher to enter a dormitory unannounced?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I would advise the mother or any parent or concerned adult to make an appropriate approach to the relevant authorities and ascertain the facts of the matter concerned.
Rodney HideFollowing his answer yesterday, does he now accept that he did enter a girls’ dormitory in 1998, after the policy had changed, when the young pupils were getting changed for a school tramp, to give them “a hurry-up”?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I do not recollect, but if so it would have been subject to the school’s procedures, including the giving of an advance warning.
Hon Phil GoffI seek the leave of the House to table a document, from a National voter, saying that he sees these personal attacks on Mr Benson-Pope as being from small-minded and malicious people who wish only to ruin a man’s reputation.
I am dealing with something else, and I would like to complete it. Leave was sought. [ Interruption] Does the member wish to raise a point of information?
Yes, a point of information. How does the Minister know that that document is from a National voter, when, of course, votes in this country are secret and anybody can say he or she is a National voter—and, hopefully, there will be a lot more?
Simply, because the person states in black and white that he is a National voter, and “probably always will be although I still weigh all the issues up before voting”.
Hon Steve Maharey Link to this
I seek leave to table an email from a National Party voter, who says: “I am disappointed that the National Party in so far as I am concerned needs to dish dirt in order to make points.”
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Would the Minister please explain how he can be certain that the person is a National Party supporter.
That is not a point of order or a point of clarification. Leave has been sought. Members can decide for themselves whether that document should be admitted.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Despite the fact that the person says they are, and has obviously put their name to it, the member cannot surely raise objection on the basis that that is two, and that is one too many!