11. JUDITH COLLINS (National—Clevedon) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
How much has the Ministry of Social Development budgeted for advertising the SuperGold card in 2007-08?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
The total communications budget for the SuperGold card in 2007-08 is $1.154 million. This includes not only the advertising of the launch of the card but also marketing activities and promotional materials.
Why did the ministry advise in the 2007-08 estimates examination in June this year that it planned to spend less than $200,000 on advertising the SuperGold card in the current year, but by August it had changed its mind and decided to spend almost $1.2 million, which was a sixfold increase; and will this additional advertising spend meet the Prime Minister’s requirement that Government departments err on the side of caution when promoting policies?
In answer to the latter question, yes, it certainly will; in answer to the former question, departments cannot announce appropriations that have not yet been agreed.
Barbara StewartCan the Minister confirm that literally hundreds of potential business partners are currently in negotiations to join the SuperGold card scheme, to offer even more concessions to our seniors?
That is a very risky question from the member, who knows that her leader is out of the country, and neither of us should be pre-empting his announcements on further partnerships with the SuperGold card that will be made shortly. But I can confirm that, at the launch of the SuperGold card, 187 businesses were offering discounts and services to older New Zealanders; today 485 business partners have signed up, representing over 3,000 outlets throughout New Zealand. The list will continue to grow, with more being added every day.
Who is telling the truth here: the Minister, who is saying that the Government could not announce in the estimates spending that was subsequently announced a couple of months later, or the ministry, which says the advertising spend was increased after the estimates, or the Associate Minister for Senior Citizens, who has confirmed in writing that the ministry decided after the Budget was debated to up its advertising budget by 600 percent—who is telling the truth?
All three parties that the member noted are telling the truth, but, consistent with every other question that member asks, she is not.
Madam SPEAKER
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Can you tell the House why, when a Minister clips on to the end of his or her answer a derogatory comment about the member, you are silent, but when the member, in seeking to ask a question, responds, suddenly you have a go at her?
No. I will tell the member what that ruling was about. The member, in her question, raised the issue of truthfulness. That was responded to by the Minister in her answer. The member then prefaced a supplementary question with a comment that was bound to cause disorder. As we have gone through the day, it has become increasingly difficult—at least, at this end of the Chamber—to hear the questions and the answers.
Will her ministry seek the advice of the Auditor-General to ensure that its promotion of the SuperGold card meets the guidelines of the State Services Commission, the Auditor-General having forced the ministry to slash its advertising budget for Working for Families because it was such an outrageous misuse of taxpayer money on political advertising?
The guidelines of the State Services Commission are very clear. If there is any doubt by any department, including my own, I would certainly support its moving to consult the Auditor-General.
How many taxpayer-funded publicity campaigns to promote Government policy, like the SuperGold card, will her ministry run until the next election?
The rules are very clear on electioneering: Government departments are not allowed to electioneer. There is only one reason that that member might be concerned about promotion of the SuperGold card being promotion of this Government’s policy, and that is that her party will be scrapping it. Thank you for that confirmation.