7. GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) Link to this
to the Minister of State Services
Does she have confidence in the State Services Commissioner; if so, why?
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Defence) Link to this
Yes; because he is an able and experienced civil servant with a reputation for integrity, who has served both Labour and National - led Governments over a long period of time.
Is she aware that her colleague the Minister of Finance has stated that he expects Dr Prebble to factor in Simon Murdoch’s failure to keep the Government informed of Air New Zealand’s charter flights to Kuwait, involving the Australian military, at the next performance review; and does she have confidence that Dr Prebble will have the ability to do that objectively, when he himself has failed to keep her aware of an important issue inside her State services portfolio?
I have no doubt about the ability of Mark Prebble to carry out the functions that he is required to carry out as the commissioner for State services. He has a long and proven track record of being able to do that. Occasionally, State servants, being human beings, make mistakes. Mr Brownlee might never admit to making a mistake, but people do—and Mark Prebble did, on one occasion. That should not be held against him in respect of his excellent track record as a first-rate and professional civil servant.
Why was Dr Cullen so quick to publicly state his disapproval of Mr Murdoch’s failure to keep Ministers aware of the issue, when the Minister of State Services was failed, for over 2 months by Dr Prebble, in exactly the same sort of way; and was that due to the fact that Dr Prebble was covering up for one of the Minister’s ministerial colleagues?
Madam SPEAKERThat question probably should have been directed, at least in part, to Dr Cullen. The second part was directed to the Minister of State Services, so I will allow that.
It is quite improper for that member to make a serious allegation, in a kangaroo-court manner, that Mr Prebble was involved in a cover-up. I reject that, but, as the member knows, an independent investigation is being done by Don Hunn, another man in whose integrity the country would have confidence. Mark Prebble has specifically asked, firstly, that this investigation be independent of him, and, secondly, that any assessment that Mr Hunn has to make about Dr Prebble should not be withheld from publication. That is open, that is transparent, and the member, instead of making throwaway comments that affect the integrity of proven civil servants, should await the outcome of that inquiry.
Can the Minister confirm that the first the Minister knew of David Benson-Pope’s discussion with Mr Logan regarding the Madeleine Setchell employment matter was, in fact, on 3 July, and that Mr Prebble’s file note will confirm that?