Madam SPEAKERI have received a letter from the Rt Hon Winston Peters seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the decision to allow the Russian company Nutritek to take a controlling shareholding in a South Canterbury dairy company, New Zealand Dairies Ltd. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. However, a Minister cannot raise a matter for debate under Standing Order 380 and Speaker’s ruling 161/2. A debate on a matter of urgent public importance is an opportunity for a member to hold the Government to account. There will be other parliamentary opportunities to consider this matter, including the Budget debate today. The application is therefore declined.
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) Link to this
I seek leave to have that debate, notwithstanding the technical difficulty because I had advised my staff member to lodge it and I was unaware that he lodged it in my name. It was meant to be in Doug Woolerton’s name. However, the issue is pertinent, relevant, and serious, and that is why I would like to have it discussed.
Leave has been sought. We will deal with the matter. Please be seated. The member has sought leave. He has identified the nature of that leave. This is not a matter of debate; it is a matter for members to judge whether there should be a debate. Is there any objection to leave being taken? Yes, there is.
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. There are a couple of things. I think it is important for the record that the House notes that when a letter is sent to the Speaker it is generally signed by the person in whose name it is. So I am not sure how Doug Woolerton failed to sign a letter that was supposed to be in his name, and how Winston Peters’ signature ended up on that letter. I also suggest that although the Minister cannot seek an urgent debate, a Minister most certainly can make a ministerial statement.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
A Minister cannot make a ministerial statement on a matter outside his or her portfolio of responsibility. I can assure the member of that.
RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think the Rt Hon Winston Peters raises an important issue about writing letters to the Speaker to seek an urgent debate, because they do have to be in the member’s name. It would appear that we have had a letter go to you, Madam Speaker, and that the member whose name it is in is unaware of it. He said he thought it was going in Doug Woolerton’s name and not his name. It is odd how he can sign—
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Just to clear this matter up—[ Interruption]
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS Link to this
It is exactly as I described it. Some of us Ministers have a stamped signature that we authorise people to use in our absence, often for parliamentary questions. That is how this situation arises. There is nothing sinister, nothing untoward. I say “Bad luck, chaps, you are missing out again.”
GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I noted that the Deputy Prime Minister was on his feet pretty fast to say that Winston Peters was unable to make a ministerial statement outside his portfolio area. But I also note this issue relates to a Russian company investing in New Zealand, and Winston Peters is the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
NANDOR TANCZOS (Green) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I want to have a matter clarified. Mr Peters seems to suggest that someone signs documents on his behalf without his reading them. I wonder if that is how a Minister normally behaves.