Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Peters Winston: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:608;Page:5899] 
1. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: Has the Minister of Finance kept her informed of taxation matters and does he have her confidence? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN (Minister of Transport) 
 on behalf of the 
 Prime Minister 
: The Minister of Finance has the confidence of the Prime Minister. He is a hard-working conscientious and witty Minister and he keeps her informed on policy issues through the Cabinet process. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: If that is remotely the case why was it that the Prime Minister in front of 500 Auckland business people last Friday walked off the stage when she was asked not once but twice to explain why it was that certain Maori enterprises received a special tax cut when the rest of business in this country did not; she could not explain it the first time or the second time or was she again informed but confused? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Given the fact I was not there that question should be addressed to the Prime Minister. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No that answer is not satisfactory. 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: The Prime Minister was there; I personally was not there. I imagine what the Prime Minister was saying about the tax relationships related to Maori charities was that because of the fact of the arrangements of those charities and organisations there needs to be an arrangement for the low-income people who receive revenue from those organisations. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I was of a mind to do this before the question was asked but this Minister clearly does not know what he is talking about and I ask now for leave for the question to be deferred. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought. Is there any objection? There is. Carry on with the supplementary question. 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I wonder whether I can help the House. I actually do know what happened and I am quite happy to— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Helpful though the member often is on this occasion that is not a point of order. 
Hon Bill English 
: Can I ask—[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: This is the only warning I will give. When a person has been called to ask a question anyone else making any comment today will be leaving. I have called the Hon Bill English only. 
Hon Bill English 
: Does the Prime Minister believe that the $200 million levy on power consumers is indeed a tax? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: On behalf of the Prime Minister no. It is an insurance premium. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I ask the Prime Minister through this Minister: how did he end up answering that question which was put down on the Order Paper with 4 hours’ notice if he had no idea whatsoever what the issue of taxation was about or the circumstances of the Prime Minister’s very ignominious departure at a huge meeting of the chamber of commerce last Friday at lunchtime; if he had no idea why did he accept the job or was he just one of those losers? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The last part is to be ignored. The first part can be answered. 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: On behalf of the Prime Minister given the nature of the question there was potentially a wide range of issues so as part of the advice I prepared a range of things. If the member had wanted a specific question answered he should have put it on the Order Paper. 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: Does the Prime Minister think it is satisfactory that the Prime Minister of New Zealand should speak to 500 business people at the chamber of commerce after the Budget and when asked when it was opened up to questions “As the Labour Government clearly favours lower taxes because the Labour Government has lowered taxes for Maori business when are lower taxes going to be offered to all other businesses?” and there was a second part to the question; “Does this Labour Government believe in one law and one citizen for all?” does she think she is up to the job when she is unable to answer the question then walks off in a huff? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: On behalf of the Prime Minister I am sure that the Prime Minister is up to the job. 
Mark Peck 
: Will the Minister confirm that no Maori taxpayer gets an advantage over and above any other taxpayer in New Zealand; will he confirm that it is simply that Maori authorities are being taxed at the rate of 19c in the dollar and that the wash-up will be tidied up when there is a final reconciliation at the end of the tax year? 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The member cannot authenticate that statement. It is just not true. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: And the member cannot raise a point of order that is not one. 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: On behalf of the Prime Minister I do recall some advice along those lines.