Hipkins Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Hipkins Chris: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 26 March 2013. Volume:688;Page:8894. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
11. 
CHRIS HIPKINS (Labour—Rimutaka) 
 to the  
Minister of Education 
: Does she have confidence in the Ministry of Education; if so why? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education) 
: 
 Yes I do. The ministry has been working hard to deliver on key Government priorities including greater participation in early childhood education implementing national standards and improving National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) achievement. However I acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. 
Chris Hipkins 
: Does she have confidence in the information and analysis the Ministry of Education provided her as the basis for her decision making around the future of schools in Christchurch; if so why? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: Yes I do bearing in mind that we are in the stage that relates to interim decisions so no final decisions have been made. But yes I do have confidence. 
Chris Hipkins 
: Did she express to the State Services Commission that she had a lack of confidence in Lesley Longstone as the Secretary for Education; if so why? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: I have previously acknowledged the contribution that the previous secretary made and I would refer all employment matters to the chief commissioner. 
Chris Hipkins 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It was a very straightforward question— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member will ask his question again. 
Chris Hipkins 
: Did she express to the State Services Commission that she had a lack of confidence in Lesley Longstone as the Secretary for Education; if so why? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: No. 
Chris Hipkins 
: Did the State Services Commission consult her prior to accepting the resignation of Lesley Longstone as the Secretary for Education; if so what did she say to it? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: No. 
Chris Hipkins 
: Did the State Services Commission consult inform or in any other way communicate to her that Lesley Longstone would receive a $425000 payout following her resignation; if so when did it do that? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: Yes I was advised of it after the decision had been made. 
Chris Hipkins 
: If she did not indicate a lack of confidence in Lesley Longstone as the Secretary for Education to the State Services Commission was she advised why Lesley Longstone departed from her contract early with a $425000 payout? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: Those are matters that should be directed to the State Services Commission as the chief commissioner oversaw that process not me. 
Chris Hipkins 
: Point of order Mr Speaker— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am going to ask the member to ask the question again. It is within the responsibility of the Minister to answer that question that was directed to the Minister. 
Chris Hipkins 
: If she did not indicate a lack of confidence in Lesley Longstone to the State Services Commission was she advised why Lesley Longstone departed from her contract early with a $425000 payout? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: I was not given all of the reasons. This is a matter of employment between the State Services Commissioner and the former Secretary for Education. 
Chris Hipkins 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I accept that to some extent that is an answer from the Minister but you will recall we put these questions in the House to the Minister who is responsible for the State Services Commissioner and his answer was “you should ask the Minister of Education”. I have just done that now and she is not answering it. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Which you have done. No no I think you are right accepting that the Minister has now addressed that question—maybe not to your satisfaction—I think on this occasion she carefully listened to it the second time and she has certainly addressed the question. The member has further supplementary questions? 
Chris Hipkins 
: Did Lesley Longstone undertake any action in her role as Secretary for Education that was contrary to the Government’s expectations; if so what did she do? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: I think it is pretty clear that last year there were a number of educational challenges in the portfolio and those matters have been dealt with. 
Chris Hipkins 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That did not address the question in any way. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I invite the member to ask that question again. 
Chris Hipkins 
: Did Lesley Longstone undertake any action in her role as Secretary for Education that was contrary to the Government’s expectations; if so what did she do? 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: I cannot think of a specific action that the member might be seeking.