Hodgson Pete: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Hodgson Pete: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:663;Page:11379] 
6. 
Hon PETE HODGSON (Labour—Dunedin North) 
 to the  
Minister of Justice 
: What advice did he receive from the Prime Minister when he consulted him before stating that “it is extremely unlikely that the Government will move to raise excise tax as part of its alcohol reform agenda”? 
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 The consultation referred to in the member’s question occurred in the context of a meeting of a number of Ministers including the Prime Minister. My statement echoed the collective view of that meeting. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: At the time he received the advice from his Prime Minister was he aware that the Prime Minister had an existing interest in Highwater Vineyard Ltd? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: I simply followed the processes that were put in place in order for that announcement to be made. I outlined in the answer to the primary question how that came about. I have nothing more to add. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question was: “At the time that he received the advice from his Prime Minister was he aware that the Prime Minister had an existing interest in Highwater Vineyard Ltd?” so it was a fairly narrow question. 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: My answer to the primary question referred to the consultation portion of the question. My answer to the primary question did not refer to any advice I had received from the Prime Minister. In fact the consultation portion of the member’s question was verified by way of a written question he asked me some days ago but the issue of advice as I understand it through the Clerk’s Office was not verified so I took a broad view concentrating on the consultation aspect which was verified. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think the Minister has made an interesting point: he has told the House he did not receive any specific advice from the Prime Minister; the consultation was part of a general consultation with Ministers. That is why I believe he cannot answer more precisely about any advice it might be alleged he received from the Prime Minister. That is why I do not believe I can assist the member on this occasion with any further answer to that particular supplementary question but I am sure the member would like to ask further supplementary questions. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: At the time he was consulting with his Prime Minister was he aware that the Prime Minister had an existing interest in Highwater Vineyard Ltd? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: No nor would I expect to be made aware of the matter in the event that there was no conflict. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Just before that question was answered Nick Smith made an extremely unparliamentary remark. I take offence and I know that other members take offence. [ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: A point of order is being heard. I apologise to the member but I did not hear what the interjection was. I can only ask the Hon Dr Nick Smith whether he did in fact make an unparliamentary comment and if he did I ask him to withdraw and apologise for it. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I seek clarification. I referred to the member as a sewer rat— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Hon Dr Nick Smith will now get to his feet and withdraw and apologise to the House with some seriousness. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I withdraw and apologise. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I would have preferred it to be done without a smile on the member’s face because I find that—[ 
Interruption 
] I find it offensive to use the open microphone to make such a further allegation when all I had asked was whether he had made an offensive remark. I take a dim view of that. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: Has he met at any time with Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd regarding the Government’s alcohol reform agenda; if so can he recall with whom he met? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: Yes I have met with Foodstuffs and with a range of industry representatives. I met with the Alcohol Advisory Council and a whole group of people leading into discussions. The member might be interested to know that since the Law Commission has tabled its report I have met with no one and will not do so until the Government responds formally to the report. But leading up to that time I certainly met with representatives. Although off the top of my head I cannot advise the specific names of those with whom I have met I can tell the member that I met with the managing directors of Foodstuffs (Auckland) Foodstuffs (Wellington) Cooperative Society and Foodstuffs (South Island) and with Melissa Hood whom I believe also has a role with Foodstuffs. In recent times I also opened in my electorate a Foodstuffs warehouse where I am sure many employees of Foodstuffs were present. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: Is the Minister aware that the chairperson of Foodstuffs (Auckland) is also a shareholder in the Prime Minister’s vineyard? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: No.