Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:617;Page:12629] 
6.  
GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) 
 to the  
Minister of Maori Affairs 
: Does he stand by his reported comment that he will leave Parliament if the foreshore and seabed legislation does not work out the way he wants for Maori; if not why not? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Education) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister of Maori Affairs 
: This legislation will deliver the best possible deal for Maori. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Does the Minister of Maori Affairs agree with the Prime Minister’s statement that the hikoi marchers are “haters and wreckers”; if so why? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: The Prime Minister did not state that all the hikoi marchers were “wreckers” and “haters” but amongst the leadership were people who have indicated that they want to wreck the sovereignty of New Zealand. 
Metiria Turei 
: Does the Minister agree with the Waitangi Tribunal that the Government’s proposals behind the foreshore and seabed legislation put Maori “in a class different from and inferior to all other citizens”; if not will he explain to the thousands of Maori and Pakeha outside the walls of this House today why not? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: No. In answer to the second part of the question: “As I’m currently out there I can’t be in here to explain it.” 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. “As I can’t be here because I’m out there and I can’t explain.”! We cannot be treated to that sort of answer. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I was just contemplating that and getting some advice. That answer is out of order. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: What exactly will the Minister be measuring to determine whether the foreshore and seabed legislation has worked the way he wants for Maori? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: The Minister has already measured that and he is convinced that we have legislation that will deliver the best possible deal for Maori given the make-up of this House. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This is where we get into quite a bit of difficulty—that is when the Government treats in such a cavalier fashion the right of the Opposition to question Ministers. The opening question asked the Minister whether he stood by his reported comments. Those comments indicated that he would leave Parliament if it did not work out. The comment has now been made on behalf of the Minister that he has already looked at it. It has not even come before the House yet but he has decided that it is so good that it has worked anyway. It is quite unacceptable for the  
Hansard 
 record to carry that sort of series of answers. It does not make sense in the first place and it comes because the Government has made a decision not to have Parekura Horomia in the House today. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No that last point is out of order. The other point is also out of order. I have no intention of asking  
Hansard 
 to change what has been reported. I do not think the member would want that either. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: No. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No of course not. The answer stands. It addressed the question. I am not responsible for the quality of the answer. 
Stephen Franks 
: Is the Minister aware of any discussion on the allocation of aquaculture areas as part of this or a further package; if so when will he know what any aquaculture area deal will deliver and the cost? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Aquaculture and foreshore issues are separate.