Sharples Pita: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Sharples Pita: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:630;Page:2187] 
10.  
Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: He whakamanawatanga to te Pirimia ki ona Minita katoa; ki te kore he aha ai? 
[ 
Does she have confidence in all her Ministers; if not why not? 
] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Deputy Prime Minister) 
 on behalf of the 
 Prime Minister 
: Yes. 
Dr Pita Sharples 
: He aha i kore ai i riro i a Dover Samuels te Minita Tuarua o Nga Whare raua ko Mahara Okeroa te Minita Tuarua mo te Papa Atawhai nga tunga matua i te wa kei tawahi a Chris Carter? 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Why then have the Hon Dover Samuels Associate Minister of Housing and the Hon Mahara Okeroa Associate Minister of Conservation 
not 
been appointed as Acting Ministers in these major roles while the Hon Chris Carter is out of the country? 
] 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: There is no standard rule that an Associate Minister is made Acting Minister when the Minister is absent particularly when the Associate Minister is outside Cabinet; in fact it is far more common for a Minister inside Cabinet to be made the Acting Minister. 
Tariana Turia 
: Given the evidence presented in the House last week that the Hon Rick Barker had signed letters regarding Vietnam veterans that he had not even read what confidence does the Prime Minister have in his ability to take up responsibility in two such critical portfolios? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: The member is incorrect. Mr Barker did not say he had not read the letter. She should not believe everything that Rodney Hide whispers in her ear. 
Tariana Turia 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. It is very clear that the Minister signed out a letter that he had not read because the letter was incorrect. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: That is not a point of order; it is a debating matter. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Given Tariana Turia’s desire to promote Dover Samuels and Mahara Okeroa has the Prime Minister received any reports that Tariana Turia has attempted to convince ACT party members to join the Maori Party? 
Madam SPEAKER 
: No that is not—[ 
Interruption 
] I am sorry no; I am not being difficult here but I am struggling to see the connection. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Madam Speaker with respect when we see a political party holding a convention and inviting a leader of another political party I think we are entitled to draw certain inferences—and that is what I am doing. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: OK yes— 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: People cannot be saved in the case of ACT from its stupid invitation list. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: No; please be seated. Such reports must always relate to ministerial responsibility. It is not the Prime Minister’s responsibility to comment on other political parties’ methods of organisation. 
Dr Pita Sharples 
: Are these Maori members these Associate Ministers receiving special treatment; is it a matter of privilege that they are not being exposed to ministerial duties or are they the last cab off the rank? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: No. They are both valued Associate Ministers outside Cabinet. But I am sure of course that the member will be keen to know that in the Labour Party members act as a united group. We do not have individuals going off in their own directions—unlike those in the ACT and Maori parties.