Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 May 2013. Volume:690;Page:10400. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Leader—Labour) to theMinister of Justice: On what date did applications for the position of Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner close in the most recent appointment process and on what date did the Ministry of Justice receive an application from Dr Jackie Blue?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice): The premise of that question is incorrect. This is a statutory position for appointment by the Governor-General under advice from the Minister. Expressions of interest for a ministerial appointment close when the Minister making the advice to the Governor-General is satisfied that they can make the right recommendation for the appointment to the Governor-General. I received an informal expression of interest from Dr Jackie Blue—Hon Shane Jones: Dodgy!Hon JUDITH COLLINS: That is a bit much coming from that member is it not?Mr SPEAKER: Order! Would the Minister just complete the answer.Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I received an informal expression of interest from Dr Jackie Blue on 20 September 2012. Dr Blue’s formal expression of interest was sent by me to the ministry on 11 November 2012.Grant Robertson: I seek leave of the House to table the advertisement for the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner published in daily newspapers which had a closing date of 13 October 2012.Hon Dr Nick Smith: It was in the newspaper.Mr SPEAKER: But on this occasion I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table it. Is there any objection? There is none. It may be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Grant Robertson: Why was Jackie Blue’s application treated differently from those of other applicants who had to have their application in by 13 October 2012?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: In fact as I have already told that member they were only expressions of interest not applications—expressions of interest—and in fact the expressions of interest could come either to me or to the ministry. She gave me her expression of interest on 20 September 2012 which is significantly earlier than the date quoted by that member.Grant Robertson: Why did the ministry announce a closing date of 13 October 2012 if that was not relevant to the appointment process?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The ministry’s process was in addition to the fact that I had already commenced the process. Actually the ministry—[Interruption] Look I’m sorry for that member who obviously does not seem to understand ministerial appointments but he should ask Trevor Mallard or David Parker—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! A point of order.Grant Robertson: Supplementary question—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! We now—[Interruption] Order!Hon Trevor Mallard: What a fool! What a fool!Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am trying to assist the member’s colleague to ask a supplementary question.Grant Robertson: Why is there no evidence on paper as released by the Minister under the Official Information Act of Jackie Blue’s expression of interest going to her on 20 September?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Because she came to see me with her CV. Actually it is very difficult for me to be able to have a written piece of paper to say “Here she is with me.” but Jackie Blue could confirm that to that member should he ever wish to ask.Grant Robertson: I seek leave of the House to table Jackie Blue’s expression of interest letter dated 11 November 2012.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that letter. Is there any objection? There is none.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I seek leave to table a document showing that four Ministers under the previous Labour Government actually sat on the interview panels for the appointments of the Solicitor-General the State Services Commissioner and the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Two of those members are here today—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Leave is sought to table that document. [Interruption] Order! Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There appears to be none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Hon David Parker: I seek leave—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is a point of order.Hon David Parker: I seek leave to table a document that proves that the State Services Commissioner cannot appoint himself.Mr SPEAKER: I am not putting that leave.Grant Robertson: Why did she give as her initial answer to written question No. 4716 that she did not discuss the position of Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner with Dr Blue prior to 13 October 2012 contrary to what she has told the House today?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: As that member well knows I actually corrected that because I looked at that answer which my staff had prepared when I came back into the office and said: “That’s a bit cute.” I did not go out to Jackie Blue and say to her: “Why don’t you come and apply for this job?”. She actually discussed it with me and asked whether she could put it in. That is why I corrected it Mr Robertson unlike that member who should now go and—Mr SPEAKER: Order!