8. Question No. 8—Foreign AffairsHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsQuestion No. 8—Foreign Affairs8. Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does he stand by his statement in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's India strategy document titled India–New Zealand 2025: Investing in the Relationship Indian immigrants and students contribute skills and diversity to New Zealand's economy and our communities"?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): Yes. Unlike the Leader of the Opposition we consider Indian people to be worth as much as anyone else. Unlike him we don't think "two Chinese are more valuable than two Indians".Hon Gerry Brownlee: Is the Minister saying that a person of Indian ethnicity who wishes to undertake tertiary study in New Zealand is as a valuable in delivering skills and diversity to New Zealand's economy and communities as other nationalities?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Well the answer of course is yes.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Then can the Minister explain why India would trust New Zealand's commitment to Goal 1 of the strategy that says—and I quote—"A relationship based on mutual trust that advances our shared interest." when his Cabinet colleague Shane Jones thought it appropriate to say "I think the number of students that have come [to New Zealand] from India have ruined many … institutions."?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Mr Jones made it very clear this morning that he was expressing the views of some in the local Indian community—and I'll recite them shortly—and that he was referring to fraud in the education system and exploitation of students. Can I just say this is a report that says "young Indian migrant workers [are] easy targets for exploitation. Many are in breach of their visa conditions fear deportation and have large loans at high interest rates [in] service on top of the high cost of living here. In addition they face discrimination isolation and exploitation and are exploited within their own ethnic groups. Replication of the caste system further limits opportunities and progression for many while fear of the establishment and the perception of corruption stops migrants speaking out."—that from the Indian Weekender. That's an Indian paper the Indian Weekender; are they racist too?Hon Gerry Brownlee: If the Minister is publicly now supporting the comments of Mr Jones was the Prime Minister incorrect to say that he was wrong?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Mr Jones made it very clear what he was referring to. I've just recited the Indian weekend newspaper as an authority. But let me go further: these issues were highlighted by the Migrant Workers Association and the Indian Workers' Association on a number of occasions when the previous administration was in Government. That's precisely what we're cleaning up.Hon Gerry Brownlee: If the Minister of Foreign Affairs the Deputy Prime Minister is now supporting Mr Jones in his statements was the Prime Minister incorrect to call him wrong?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Let me make it very clear that Mr Jones has these authorities: the New Zealand Herald on 5 December 2016—here it is: " 'We need to blow the whole thing apart and start being honest about what's happening' … who the Herald has agreed not to name. 'Because it's not about education at all.' " This is from The New Zealand Herald. RNZ again 12 September 2016: "Indian community leaders have warned [them] of … backlash because Indian students are increasingly running into problems including prostitution crime … exploitation by employers." We've got page after page after page of Indians saying this was happening under the previous administration—and we're fixing it up and that's how we're going to build trust.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Any review of the answer to that question would find that it had very little to do in answer to the question.SPEAKER: It may be that the material was somewhat supplemented and it could have been cut off earlier but it was certainly addressed early on.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The right honourable gentleman said he wished to make it clear; then he proceeded to read out his list of newspaper articles which presumably means that he does support the Hon Shane Jones and his interesting comments.SPEAKER: Is that a point of order? Hon Member: Yes it is. SPEAKER: No it's an expression of opinion and normally you want a ruling.Hon Gerry Brownlee: The point is that there was no answer to the question as to whether the Prime Minister was incorrect and inappropriate in telling Mr Jones that he was wrong.SPEAKER: I think the member was asking a question where it was slightly more nuanced than that. If the member wants a further supplementary he can have another go.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That is not correct. The Hansard record will show exactly what my question was. My question simply was to the Minister of Foreign Affairs the Deputy Prime Minister the Rt Hon Winston Peters: was his support for Shane Jones indicating that the Prime Minister was incorrect in saying that Shane Jones was wrong. I got no answer to that.SPEAKER: I've ruled that it was addressed. [Interruption] No one's got the floor at the moment so is the member finished? [Interruption] Order! That's not helpful.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: I'm not sure what this is going to be either.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well you asked me a question so I'd like to answer it. You asked me was I finished. What I would reply is that I'm not finished but I think he is. Ha ha!SPEAKER: The member will now stand withdraw and apologise. Mr Brownlee before you tweet what you are saying you will withdraw and apologise.Hon Gerry Brownlee: All right. I withdraw and apologise."