5. Question No. 5—Regional Economic DevelopmentHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentQuestion No. 5—Regional Economic Development5. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: Does he stand by all his statements and actions?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): Yes. Hon Paul Goldsmith: How does he reconcile his statement on Radio New Zealand on Thursday morning in relation to the Semenoff logging case I don't accept that I waded into any court case." with his statement to Newstalk ZB the same morning that he talked to the NZTA chief executive and "I wanted clarification as to why they have been offering immunity and amnesty for Filipino truck drivers to arguably spy on New Zealand - owned businesses."? Hon SHANE JONES: When I was asked last week who I had spoken to I pointed out that never once have I spoken about the prosecution decision. I also identified the fact that I had a brief discussion with the acting CEO Mr Radcliffe of the transport authority and that is the issue that I referred to as to where was the legal authority coming from for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to empower Meredith Connell to go ahead and do that with foreign workers. Hon Paul Goldsmith: How is such a query or statement from a Cabinet Minister to an official responsible for an independent regulatory prosecution not wading in? Hon SHANE JONES: Well I mean I'm reminded of my grandmother's saying that "Words once issued might be forgiven but are not forgotten." The reality is that that question because of the large number of foreign workers we now have in regional New Zealand is a legitimate question of the most powerful executive running the NZTA. It has nothing to do with the matters pertaining to the court case—something which I've assured the Prime Minister I will don a cone of silence over. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Is he really saying that him talking to the chief executive and saying something that he didn't want him ever to forget about the way that the case was conducted was not influencing the way that he went about his independent regulatory authority? SPEAKER: Order! Order! I'll give the member a chance to rephrase it because I think he's introduced an assertion as a fact. Hon Paul Goldsmith: How is it that he thinks that talking to the chief executive of NZTA who is in the middle of making an independent regulatory authority and making such statements is not likely to be interpreted by that chief executive as pressure being put on him? Hon SHANE JONES: Well the member is entitled to his version of events. The reality is this was already a public matter and I have since been provided with a memo identifying where the NZTA do derive their power to encourage foreign workers to behave in such a way towards New Zealand - owned businesses. Hon Paul Goldsmith: What conversations has he had with Mr Semenoff about the case? Hon SHANE JONES: Mr Semenoff is a well-known Northlander and for the last two years he has been raising with me and a host of other Northland MPs his desire to increase the number of workers from the Philippines. On the particular issue of the charges that he faces that's his business not mine. Hon Paul Goldsmith: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: No I don't think I need the point of order. I do need an answer to the question. Hon SHANE JONES: Repeat the question please. Hon Paul Goldsmith: What conversations did he have with Mr Semenoff about the case? Hon SHANE JONES: The conversations that I've had over the last two years pertain to the necessity in the North from his perspective to draw on foreign workers. I am not involved. I have not shared any content that I have or may have as a Minister with the issue before the courts. That's his business not mine. SPEAKER: That's—sorry it still doesn't quite answer the question. The member's answered what he said but what he hasn't answered is what was said to him by Mr Semenoff. Hon SHANE JONES: Mr Speaker if you want to know what Mr Semenoff says and what he—SPEAKER: About the case. Hon SHANE JONES: About—sorry can you repeat that? SPEAKER: I think the essence of the question is that it was about the conversations between the Minister and Mr Semenoff about the case. The Minister's made it clear to the House that he did not make comments about the case to Mr Semenoff but there's the other half of the conversation. Hon SHANE JONES: For the last two years Mr Semenoff has raised with me and a host of other Northland MPs his views about NZTA. I have had no discussions that pertain to the content of whatever is in NZTA's head as to why they have gone ahead in the course of action they've gone ahead with. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is the Minister saying that there are some issues to do with a court case which are sub judice and there are some that don't go to the core of the juror or judge's decision which are not sub judice?SPEAKER: Well I'm pretty sure he didn't say that at all."