Mr SPEAKER: Question number 12 Dr Megan Woods
Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour—Wigram) to the Prime Minister:
Was he acting in his capacity as PM during the 14 February 2014 press conference
when he confirmed to journalists that he speaks to Cameron Slater
“every so often” including that same week when they discussed Mr Kim Dotcom “briefly”?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): No,
I spoke to Cameron Slater in my capacity as the leader of the National Party,
and therefore questions from the media about
the conversation were answered in that same capacity.
By way of clarification, earlier this year
I was frequently asked at my press conferences whether the National Party
would reach an electoral accommodation with other political parties.
As would be obvious to the member, I responded to the questions
as the leader of the National Party.
There have also been other examples:
when I was asked to comment about Max’s selfies,
or Stephie’s penchant for photos covered mostly in sushi,
or the health of Moonbeam the cat. I do that in my capacity as a father.
Dr MEGAN WOODS: How can he say that
he was not acting as PM at that press conference when
he directly referred to “myself as PM”,
had a ministerial staffer standing behind him recording the proceedings,
and was answering questions from journalists that related
to his prime ministerial responsibilities?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Because, as the member should well and truly know, I wear several hats,
and I answer questions in press conferences for several reasons.
As I just pointed out to the member, quite often I answer questions
for which I have no ministerial responsibility because I am acting as the leader of the National Party.
Mr SPEAKER: Point of Order Dr Megan Woods
Dr MEGAN WOODS: I seek leave to table a screenshot of the prime ministerial stand-up—
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat.
The member is now just abusing the privilege of seeking leave to table a document.
[INTERRUPTION]
Mr SPEAKER: Point of order from the Rt Hon Winston Peters
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: As an evidentiary matter,
frequently a photograph has been used as compelling proof of some event.
It has happened in many court cases and many events. Much of it has been televised.
I want to know what the distinction is between a photograph like that,
which could be so important in some cases as proof—
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat straight away.
[Interruption] Straight away.
Within only the last 10 or 15 minutes I have given an explanation
as to why people seek the ability to table a document.
It is to inform the House. It is not to make a political point.
A shot of the PM at a press conference does nothing to give further,
useful information to this House.
I will not put the leave, and I will not see this system further abused by a member.
I was very tempted to cease the question there and then.
On this occasion, I will give the member the benefit of the doubt
and allow her to complete her questions.
Dr MEGAN WOODS: How was the information
that he said he had confirmed by a member of the public
regarding Kim Dotcom transferred from himself as the party leader
to himself as the PM when he referred to it in Parliament as the PM on 12 February 2014?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Someone told me.
I actually do have some sympathy for Megan Woods.
She is holding up a picture of a leader of a party,
but that is because she is desperate for her—
Mr SPEAKER: Order! That will not help the order of the House.
Dr MEGAN WOODS: When he told journalists on 14 February 2014 in his capacity as the PM
that “A member of the public, for want of a better term,
rang me up and said what was the case.”,
was Cameron Slater that member of the public?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: That information was
in my capacity as the leader of the National Party.
Dr MEGAN WOODS: If he is the PM
and confirms information using taxpayer resources
that he then refers to in the House as PM,
how is that not in his ministerial capacity?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The member should email Helen Clark at undp.com.
Dr MEGAN WOODS: When he has received information from Cameron Slater has he ever
asked any of his taxpayer-funded staff to follow up on information
passed to him by Cameron Slater?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No.
Mr SPEAKER: That concludes questions for oral answer.
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