1. Question No. 1—Prime MinisterHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Prime Minister1. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her statements and actions in relation to Karel Sroubek?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Yes and season's greetings to the member.Hon Simon Bridges: Thank you. Will she release the precise content of the text message she received from Richie Hardcore about Karel Sroubek; if not why not?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I've already indicated in public interviews I am concerned around precedent setting. Obviously I receive hundreds of messages from members of the public on issues where I have no clear involvement or decision-making role. I have however given an indication of the content of that text. I've acknowledged that Mr Hardcore acknowledged to me that he knew Mr Sroubek and of course that he agreed and commended the decision because he knew Mr Sroubek. I've also acknowledged that I did not respond and that I received the message after the decision was made and after it was in the public domain.Hon Simon Bridges: What exactly did the text message say?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again as I've said I wish to seek some advice from the Ombudsman on the handling of information that I receive from members of the public because I receive hundreds of messages. Indeed on this case I have received over a hundred messages—obviously some not so favourable. I am seeking some guidance from the Ombudsman as to how I handle each of those individual pieces of correspondence.Hon Simon Bridges: Was it a thank-you text?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: When we went down and advised ourselves that I had received that message—openly—I acknowledged that it commended the Government on its decision.Hon Simon Bridges: How many text messages has she received from Richie Hardcore while Prime Minister?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I just simply cannot answer that. I have said from the outset that I've known Mr Hardcore for a number of years. My recollection is primarily that it was through his role with Community Alcohol & Drug Services as an anti - drug and alcohol campaigner based in Auckland and subsequently his involvement as an anti - violence and sexual violence campaigner. My understanding is that he'll know a number of members on that side of the House as he does in Parliament generally.Hon Simon Bridges: Is this the only text message she's received from Richie Hardcore while Prime Minister: one solitary text message about Karel Sroubek?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I've already acknowledged that I know Mr Hardcore through a range of his work and functions and roles. I've already acknowledged that publicly. This is the only text I received on the matter of Mr Sroubek. It's the only communication I had with him on Mr Sroubek. I've had no conversations with Mr Hardcore on this case nor would it have been appropriate. Again as I've said time and time again in this House I had no involvement in this case no knowledge of it until it was in the public domain and the member very well knows that the Minister himself made the decision one afternoon with officials in the room after no conversations with any other members of Parliament. It's quite simple Simon.Hon Simon Bridges: Why didn't she directly answer—SPEAKER: No I'm sorry; I am going to interrupt. It's not an appropriate term to use for the Leader of the Opposition. The Prime Minister will withdraw and apologise.Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I withdraw and apologise.Hon Simon Bridges: Why didn't she directly answer Susie Ferguson's question today on Richie Hardcore on Morning Report: How would you characterise him? Is he a friend or a family friend?"Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I would not characterise him as a family friend. He's someone I've known for a number of years and I've been very open about that.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she know why he has repeatedly in the recent past described her as someone he's lucky enough to call a friend?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I have no qualms about him doing so. What is at question and in play here is whether or not I had any engagement with Mr Hardcore over this case and as I've repeatedly pointed out the answer is no. In fact when his name was first raised in Parliament it was myself and my office that proactively acknowledged that I had received a message from him.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she accept that Iain Lees-Galloway took less than an hour to decide the Sroubek matter?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again and this raises the contradiction in the member's line of questioning he has consistently criticised the Minister for making the decision the same day he was informed of the case but at the same time has tried to imply there was inappropriate involvement from other members and Ministers. The fact is the Minister has always acknowledged he made the decision on the day it was given to him the first time he was told of the case when he was in a closed room with officials.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she accept that Sroubek is a gang-affiliated convicted drug dealer?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I'm sorry Mr Speaker; I didn't hear the question. Can you please repeat it?Hon Simon Bridges: Does she accept that Karel Sroubek is a gang-affiliated convicted drug dealer?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I accept that the Minister of Immigration has now made a decision that would lead to the deportation of that individual.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she accept that Richie Hardcore made representations for Sroubek that are on the deportation file the Minister considered?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I can only rely on what the Minister of Immigration has said in this House because I am not aware and do not know who made representations but my understanding is that last week in the House the Minister of Immigration ruled out him being involved or making representations on this deportation order.Hon Simon Bridges: Does she accept that she knows that same Richie Hardcore well?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I've acknowledged that in the House; I've made no secret of that. I have known Mr Hardcore for a number of years in a number of guises."