Little Andrew: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLittle Andrew: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 22 September 2015. Volume:709;Page:6839. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements after almost seven years as Prime Minister?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): Yes especially that one when I said: “Man he really does sound like a broken record.”Andrew Little: After 7 years is he proud as the Prime Minister who called himself the son of a State house family that there are now nearly 2500 fewer State houses for families who need them and that many of the ones that are left are mouldy rotting and cold?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I am very proud of the fact that we have been tidying up and fixing up the State housing mess that was left by Labour and I am very proud of the fact we are the first Government in 43 years to have raised benefits.Andrew Little: After 7 years in power is it acceptable that according to the warrant of fitness trial 6600 State houses have severe mould which means they cannot be fixed just by the tenant?Hon Dr Nick Smith: We’ve insulated 35000 of them.Rt Hon JOHN KEY: As the Minister for Building and Housing just pointed out we have insulated 35000 State houses spending nearly $400 million a year tidying up the absolute mess we inherited from Labour. It was a disgrace and that is why so many Housing New Zealand tenants are actually grateful for the actions the Government is taking.Andrew Little: Is it acceptable that after 7 years in power he still has 3000 State houses with leaking roofs 7300 State houses with dangerous electrical wiring and 12600 State houses with rotting or broken walls?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly I would be very suspect about the member’s numbers. But what I would say to the member is there were 9 long years of Labour and it let down those State housing tenants. It is a disgrace. Thank goodness we fixed up those State houses.Andrew Little: After 7 years what sort of moral compass is he guided by when he can pull almost $1 billion out of Housing New Zealand and back into the Government’s coffers when there are still mouldy leaky and cold State homes and when will he take some responsibility?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly the member is wrong. Secondly he does not understand the way that the payments actually worked. Thirdly I understand my responsibilities. The member has just asked me four questions and only one of them has actually started with a question. Maybe he could start with a basic bit like that.Mr SPEAKER: Order! I will decide what questions are in order not the Prime Minister.Andrew Little: See if he can make a silk purse out of this sow’s ear. Does he realise—Mr SPEAKER: Order! We will just have the supplementary question.Andrew Little: Does he realise that the $26 million cost of the flag referendum is nearly enough to pay to fix all State houses to pass the warrant of fitness and why is a failing flag project more important to him than healthy Kiwi kids?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly this is a Government that has raised benefits for the first time in 43 years. Secondly this is a Government that is spending more money fixing up those State houses than Labour ever did. Thirdly excuse me for actually carrying out what we campaigned on—clearly when the Labour Party has a policy it does not mean anything.