Twyford Phil: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTwyford Phil: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 17 March 2015. Volume:704;Page:2266. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Minister of Transport: Why was the Government’s new policy to double-lane ten Northland bridges not announced by him or the New Zealand Transport Agency?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): Because there is a by-election going on and in by-elections you spell out your policies. National has a tremendous candidate in Mark Osborne who is a strong voice for Northland and—wait for it—actually lives in Northland. As transport Minister I think Mark Osborne’s commitment that he has made with me as National’s spokesperson for transport is an excellent one that I wholeheartedly support. On this side of the House we can make political commitments and keep them unlike on that side of the House.Phil Twyford: Who approved the bridges policy and on what date?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: As I have made quite clear in an answer to the member’s question last time in the House before he was ejected I made this decision at the end of last week. I appreciate that the member is a little bit sore about the fact that on this side of the House we have got a strong voice standing for us and the candidate on his side of the House is not even allowed to talk let alone advocate for policies.Phil Twyford: What New Zealand Transport Agency and ministerial resources were used in the preparation and announcement of this $70 million policy as part of a National Party candidate’s by-election campaign?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: We sought general information. But be very clear. On this side of the House we actually like the people of Northland. We go up and talk to them. We find out what they think. We did it in December. We have got a strong voice there. On this side of the House when we make political commitments we can actually follow through on them. The only thing that side of the House has followed through on is throwing its local candidate Willow-Jean Prime under Mr Peters’ bus.Phil Twyford: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was a very specific question about the use of ministerial resources. I do not believe that it was addressed.Mr SPEAKER: Order! On this occasion I am unsure whether it was addressed because I could not actually hear because of the level of noise. I will invite the member to ask the question again.Phil Twyford: What New Zealand Transport Agency and ministerial resources were used in the preparation and announcement of this $70 million policy as part of a National Party candidate’s by-election campaign?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: As I made clear I asked for information. Minimal resources were expended because on this side of the House we actually go out and talk to people in the regions. I did it in December. We have a strong candidate who has been making very clear his priorities on this including—Dr Megan Woods: What’s his name?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: —the need for bridges—Mark Osborne a tremendous—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The question was answered.Ron Mark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Phil Twyford: Mr Speaker—Mr SPEAKER: Point of order—Ron Mark: Oh I am happy to take it after the member has asked his question.Phil Twyford: Has he been advised that the Pipiwai Tītoki Advocacy for Community Health and Safety Group which is campaigning to get more money spent sealing Northland roads allegedly received a threatening phone call from his colleague Shane Reti telling it to tone down its demands or it would not get what it wanted?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I am not aware of that. I am aware of the general project. It is one that I think does need looking at. Of course if we did that the other side would accuse us of pork-barrel politics. On this side of the House we have got strong voices inside Government who can make a difference on projects that matter to people in the north.Phil Twyford: I seek leave of the House to table the email from the Pipiwai Tītoki Advocacy for Community Health and Safety Group—Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought—[Interruption] Order! I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table that particular email. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Ron Mark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Could I ask you to have a look at that transcript and pay some attention particularly to the first supplementary question which is virtually an identical supplementary question to one I asked the very same Minister last week. The problem is that the answer he gave here is different from the answer he gave last time.Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I will undertake to relook at transcripts—I always do—but the member is not raising a point of order. I will certainly have a look at it for him but I do not consider that it is a valid point of order. If the member feels that anybody misleads the House there is a very appropriate course of action which an experienced member like Mr Mark will be well aware of.