1. Question No. 1—Prime MinisterHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Prime Minister1. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Yes particularly this Government's economic management which has seen the median disposable income after housing costs increase 10 percent over the past two years. It fell I should note 1.8 percent in 2017 under the National Government. Hon Simon Bridges: Is the Deputy Prime Minister accountable to her for his behaviour? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: The member having previously been a Minister well understands the Cabinet Manual. Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I don't know whether you heard that question but MPs and Ministers may be accountable" but they're not "countable" and that's what he said. Hon Grant Robertson: Oh he's counting all right. SPEAKER: I was contemplating ruling it out for another reason but I've been asked to be liberal for both sides and I will continue to do that. And Mr Robertson please don't act like a fourth-former. Hon Simon Bridges: So does she accept that the Cabinet Manual states "Ultimately Ministers are accountable to the Prime Minister for their behaviour."? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Yes obviously—and that's why I referred to the Cabinet Manual. Hon Simon Bridges: Does she think it is an appropriate response for the Deputy Prime Minister to play "Radio Ga Ga" to press gallery journalists attempting to ask him serious questions? Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I don't see how that is relevant to the Cabinet Manual.Hon Simon Bridges: Was her Deputy Prime Minister's refusal to answer questions from the media yesterday an example of just how far her Government has fallen from her pledge that her Government would be more open and transparent?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I would remind the member that when asked about very similar matters on his side the member himself also deferred answering questions that related to his party and he would do well to remember that.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask the Prime Minister: why would a member of Parliament or dare I say it a Minister be responsible for answering questions to the media when the party that's setting the questions up hasn't got the courage to ask that member one question in the House?SPEAKER: Order! Order!Rt Hon Winston Peters: Why doesn't he ask me a question? Because he'd get toasted—that's why.SPEAKER: I'll remind the Deputy Prime Minister as the most experienced member in the House that he does not add to his contribution once his bottom hits his seat. I will say that the Prime Minister has a lot of responsibility but why people won't ask him questions is not one of them.Hon Simon Bridges: What does it take for a Minister in her Government to be stood down by the Prime Minister?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again I maintain absolute responsibility for every decision that I make as the Prime Minister in this House and I stand by every one that I have made to date. But again the member may wish to reflect on whether or not he is setting a standard here that he himself will not keep.Hon Simon Bridges: What does a Minister have to do to get reprimanded by the Prime Minister?Hon Shane Jones: Trifling—trifling.SPEAKER: Order!Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again I stand by every decision I have made as Prime Minister and the leadership I have shown on the issues that I have had to face to date. I would remind the member that whilst he is referring to Ministers he himself is attempting to become the leader of New Zealand and he is applying a standard here that he himself is not applying to him.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Which party's political donations are the subject of four court cases right now?SPEAKER: Order! The Prime Minister does not have responsibility for those prosecutions. I think if we got to the point of asking the Prime Minister general questions about who's before the courts for what that would be an unhealthy stretch from current prime ministerial responsibility.Hon Simon Bridges: What is her response to the comment made by Heather Du Plessis-Allan earlier this week that the Prime Minister "looks either completely spineless or completely disinterested in running this country with integrity."?SPEAKER: Order! The member knows because he is an experienced member that dressing up something which is out of order in a quote is in itself out of order. He will not repeat that."