1. Provincial Growth Fund—Decision Making and Probity ChecksHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSProvincial Growth Fund—Decision Making and Probity Checks1. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her statement We have a high standard of expectation for our Ministers" and does she believe her Government is adhering to these high standards?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Yes and yes.Hon Simon Bridges: What probity checks were carried out on all the Provincial Growth Fund projects announced last Friday in order to maintain her Government's high standards?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I mentioned yesterday in this House many of those came from regional growth initiatives that were pitched locally and went through a process via officials and then a group of Ministers. I know the member will be referring to a very specific project that's been raised in the media. Minister Jones has made it clear he was not aware of the issue relating to one of the shareholders—as I have to say it was clear that Minister Bridges himself would not at that time have been aware when he and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) gave money to the exact same project.Hon Simon Bridges: What specific advice did her Government receive from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) or any other officials prior to confirming the grant from the Provincial Growth Fund for a waste-to-energy plant on the West Coast?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Obviously advice that deemed it ready for a feasibility project on whether it warranted further investment. But as I have to point out again as MBIE officials did not unearth the issue with the shareholder—in fact can I say no money has come from this Government but the last Government gave them plenty even after the allegations and investigation had begun.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is the Prime Minister saying that Mr Bridges' DNA and handprints and fingerprints are all over the West Coast project about which he now presently complains?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: According to advice I've received that very much depends on how well briefed and involved he was within NZTE's dealings but yes NZTE definitely as far as I'm advised provided funding to this group.Hon Simon Bridges: Will the Prime Minister table that evidence in relation to NZTE?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I do have specific figures. I'm sure that I could source the original document for the member if he needs something to jog his memory.Hon Simon Bridges: Was she aware the recipients of a grant for the proposed $250 million waste-to-energy plant on the West Coast were previously the subject of a public sector conflict of interest investigation and that RNZ was reporting this morning that one is still under serious fraud investigation?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I mentioned those investigations were under way at the time that NZTE also engaged with this group so it's fair to say that probably it was unknown. But that would be a question ultimately for the Minister and MBIE who were involved in that process. Look I think it's fair to point out that of course this is not a situation this Government wants to see for its Provincial Growth Fund which is why the Minister has acted to stop the process and make sure it's fully investigated and no money has changed hands unlike what happened under the last Government.Hon Simon Bridges: Well does she believe—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Order! No no. Mr Brownlee I think is going to—does he need to be told or is he going to withdraw and apologise?Hon Gerry Brownlee: I withdraw and apologise. I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question was asked of the Prime Minister about whether she would table information to back up the claim she is making that these projects or part of this particular project was part-funded by a previous Government. I think until that's done given that we don't think it was don't believe it was it's unreasonable for her to pursue this line of questioning. It's actually—SPEAKER: Well she's answering not questioning—[Interruption] Sorry.Hon Paula Bennett: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. A previous ruling you gave a few weeks ago was in response to me trying to ascertain about documents and whether or not they were—and you said actually I couldn't do that any further because it hadn't been ascertained whether or not those documents were real. Well I would argue that we're in the same situation now where we haven't got evidence that those documents are there—SPEAKER: Order! The Hon Simon Bridges.Hon Paula Bennett: Are you not going to rule on that?SPEAKER: I don't need to.Hon Paula Bennett: Why not?Hon Gerry Brownlee: Because you're right.SPEAKER: Order!Hon Simon Bridges: In terms of the high standards the Prime Minister sets for her Ministers does she believe even if officials didn't say about this probity issue that Ministers should make inquiries in relation to projects such as this in regard to probity?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I think it's fair to assume that all Ministers expect and hope that there aren't these kinds of disparities when it comes to the projects they're discussing and have an expectation that officials where it's known would raise it with them. The point I'm trying to make here is that this is a situation that of course this Government is not happy to be in. It's working to resolve it. I would expect a previous Minister from the other side of the House given his past circumstance would recognise that from to time very unfortunately these situations arise.Hon Simon Bridges: In light of either the officials or the Minister not knowing what's going on here could it be that there are probity issues in relation to the other projects announced in relation to this Provincial Growth Fund?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Given that yesterday that member claimed responsibility for all of them he'd better hope not.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask the Prime Minister as to whether she has seen a chronological record of Mr Simon Bridges' involvement since he became the Minister on 19 December 2016 and does it have his DNA all over the prior transactions?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I referenced in one of my previous answers yes I have been given advice and a time line. But what the member was asking was with primary documentation. If he'd like me to undertake to go away and look further at some of that I'm happy to do so.Hon Simon Bridges: In light on the face of it of the clear probity issues in relation to this waste-to-energy project will the cheque on it be cancelled?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I outlined in my previous answer we've put a hold on the funding of what was a feasibility study I should point out until we get to the bottom of this issue.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she agree with her Minister for Regional Economic Development that the cloud now hanging over her $3 billion flagship policy "I don't think it's a train wreck. If anything it's a mild form of road kill."?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: That sounds about right."