Woods Megan: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeWoods Megan: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 29 October 2014. Volume:701;Page:348. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour—Wigram)to the Prime Minister: Was he acting in his capacity as Prime Minster 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 Prime Minister at that press conference when he directly referred to “myself as Prime Minister” 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.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.Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. 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 Prime Minister 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 Prime Minister when he referred to it in Parliament as the Prime Minister 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 Prime Minister 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 Prime Minister and confirms information using taxpayer resources that he then refers to in the House as Prime Minister 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.