9. Regional Economic Development Minister—StatementsHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister for Regional Economic DevelopmentRegional Economic Development Minister—Statements9. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: Does he stand by his reported statement that as the CEO leaves Fonterra the chairman should in quick order catch the next cab out of town"?Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development): Yes.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Did he accept the Prime Minister's judgment the last time he called for the sacking or resignation of a board member of a company: "Calling for the sacking of any board member is a step too far and I have told him that."?Hon SHANE JONES: A little bit of context around this issue: I originally gave those remarks in the context of an event that was bound by Chatham House Rules. Members in that audience—either with Fonterra or a National Party member—chose to leak them so I simply stood up and have got no compunction to repeat what I said to the face of so-said man the soon to be departed leader of Fonterra.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Then why is he defying the Prime Minister by doing it again?Hon SHANE JONES: The Prime Minister and I have a very warm and respectful relationship and I have an extraordinarily high level of admiration and that admiration will stretch even to a higher level in several weeks' time. There has been nothing said by me there has been nothing articulated in this small episode other than to stand up and show that whilst I am a friend of business unlike that member I am no sycophant.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Since making those comments what has the Prime Minister or her office said to him about his comments?Hon SHANE JONES: I don't have much to do with the Prime Minister's office; I have a great deal to do with the Deputy Prime Minister's office. In terms of what remarks may have passed between my good self and the Prime Minister they lie within the context of our relationship. But I can assure you I stand by my remarks in terms of accountability that should be shown by a failing corporate governance culture at the highest levels of our largest company—and if a cab doesn't suit then shanks's pony is just as good.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is the Minister saying that if the farmers of this country have sadly and alas taken a haircut of over $700 million no one in politics should respond to that?Hon SHANE JONES: I have been overwhelmed by the number of responses supporting my overdue criticism of so-said company and its corporate culture. Many of the farmers have said to me that at long last we've got someone who will speak truth to corporate power and who will show that that particular corporate emperor definitely has no clothes.Hon Paul Goldsmith: When he accused the leadership of Fonterra of being full of their own importance did he look into his own heart and acknowledge his own failings in that area?Hon SHANE JONES: I think the whole House knows that I am a very hearty politician and any suggestion that those comments directed at that particular board do not enjoy support amongst the hoi polloi of the provincial community shows how out of contact that particular member is. And look Fonterra cannot wander around making advertisements such as they did this year drawing on the countryside and the personalities of country people and not expect the "Champion of the Country" to hold them accountable.Rt Hon Winston Peters: In other words is the Minister saying that someone from the provinces should be defending the farmers of this country and not somebody from Epsom?SPEAKER: Order! Order! It's not an area for which Mr Jones has responsibility."