Benson-Pope David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Benson-Pope David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:608;Page:5169] 
4.  
DAVID BENSON-POPE (NZ Labour—Dunedin South) 
 to the  
Minister of State Services 
: What progress has been made towards improving succession planning and increasing the pool of talent available for leadership in the broader State sector? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of State Services) 
: 
 Yesterday I welcomed 20 public servants who were attending the Australia and New Zealand School of Government. That is part of a package to identify and develop talent in the broader State sector. I am prepared to share some of the techniques developed in order to improve the quality of leadership. It may be that the best option is to bring back experienced people in order to cover a shortage of talent. I understand there are rumours circulating that National Party members are approaching Jim Bolger for this very purpose. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That last sentence was completely out of order. 
David Benson-Pope 
: What does the Minister consider to be the essential elements of a leadership programme? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: The key is to be open in considering the potential leadership team. That often means moving beyond those who are currently clamouring for leadership positions and considering the intelligence and leadership potential of the talent available—for example John Key or Simon Power rather than the slow tired brat pack. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No. I have told the member that that last comment is not appropriate. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That is twice now that you have stood the Minister up and told him his answer is inappropriate— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The last sentence. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: —the last sentence of his answer is inappropriate. The whole question is designed to get away those last comments and it seems to me to be an inadequate censure simply to say to the Minister that it is inappropriate. If he wants to take the House’s time in that way he should be punished much more severely than that and perhaps be asked to remove himself from the House or the question itself should be abandoned. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No. I think the member is perfectly correct in his comment about the last sentence in those answers but the first part of the answers clearly address the questions asked. 
David Benson-Pope 
: Are information technology skills important for State sector leaders; if so why? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Yes they are very important. It is important that everyone involved in State sector leadership has talents in that area and takes things to their potential and I want to applaud Maurice Williamson for trying to do that. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I find it a little difficult to chide someone who is applauding somebody but once again that last sentence did not relate to the original question. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That is three in a row—three strikes and the Minister should be out. My question is: what are you going to do about it? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I heard a member make a comment that is going to mean that member will leave the Chamber if I can identify the person concerned. On reflection I ask the Minister who three times disobeyed my instruction to withdraw and apologise for those last sentences in each answer. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I withdraw and apologise.