Ryall Tony: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Ryall Tony: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:645;Page:14824] 
5. 
Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: Why did the Director-General of Health join Peter Hausmann’s Healthcare New Zealand in seeking to renew a suppression order relating to the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board inquiry? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Health) 
: 
 That is a matter for the director-general and it would be as improper for me as Minister as it would be for the member opposite to politicise a senior independent public servant in this way. However I am advised there are two separate proceedings seeking an injunction. I repeat that the review process being followed by the director-general assisted by the Crown Law Office is a proper process in the interests of natural justice. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Does the Minister understand that the High Court has made it clear that the order of suppression does not apply to fair and accurate reporting of statements made in the House? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE 
: The High Court’s judgment is a matter of record and the member should try reading it for a change. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Does the Minister realise that if I quote from material from version one of the report then that will not be a breach of any suppression order? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE 
: The member’s relationship with the judicial process is one for the member and not one for which I am responsible. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Why did the Government agree to one of its political appointees someone who is beholden to the Minister for his job investigating this matter rather than involving the independent Auditor-General especially given that the allegations involve conflicts of interest and various political links—a Labour Party appointee associates of the previous health Minister and the chief executive of the health board who used to work for the Prime Minister? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE 
: I can confirm to the House that I did not appoint any member of the independent review panel. The members were independently appointed by the director-general acting in his capacity as a senior and neutral public servant. I have not even been told by the director-general what is in the draft so I am at some disadvantage compared with the member who seems to have obtained some kind of leak. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Does the Minister see the parallels with the “lying in unison” inquiry whereby an inquiry by the Department of Labour found nothing wrong but an independent inquiry discovered the full sorry mess for which people were held accountable? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE 
: No and if the member is going to so desperately clutch at straws he should make sure they are not crooked before he clutches them. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Does the Minister see the parallels with the Ingram inquiry where for weeks on end he defended a report that was found to be completely inadequate despite his repeated assurances and can he confirm that as a result of that independent investigation Mr Field now faces legal charges? 
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE 
: I am no more responsible for Mr Field than I am for Mr Hausmann. I well recall answering a number of futile confused questions from the Opposition that wasted precious House time and got the Opposition nowhere. I must say there is a slight sense of déjà vu.