Heatley Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Heatley Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:618;Page:13920] 
7.  
PHIL HEATLEY (National—Whangarei) 
 to the  
Minister of Fisheries 
: Are the terms “inconsistent” “unevenhanded” and “grossly inadequate” as used in the State Services Commission report on the scampi inquiry to describe the then fisheries ministry indicative of the Ministry of Fisheries today? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister of Fisheries) 
: 
 No. 
Phil Heatley 
: Why then in amateur fishing reform documents obtained under the Official Information Act does the ministry say it will consult recreational fishers by “focusing the public discussion around the Internet” but that “an Internet-based consultation will not be a satisfactory basis for discussion with Maori as this would not adequately reflect their ‘status’ ” and is this not race-based inconsistency and unevenhandedness? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: While I have no advice on the particular matter my response is no. Clearly the ministry as the questioner is aware has a statutory responsibility to consult Maori. 
Russell Fairbrother 
: Has the Government received any recommendations from the Primary Production Committee relating to the scampi inquiry? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: Yes the select committee inquiry on scampi recommended to the Government that compensation be paid to individual identified scampi fishers. The Government accepted that advice and has instructed the Ministry of Fisheries to commence negotiations. Those negotiations are under way and I am advised that they are being carried out with diligence and in good faith. 
Gerrard Eckhoff 
: Does the Minister think that the allocation of scampi by the ministry was fair; if so why and if not why not? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: The matters in relation to allocation have been canvassed by the select committee of which he is a member on two occasions. I am in receipt of further correspondence which will be responded to in due course. 
Gerrard Eckhoff 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked the Minister for his opinion not the opinion of the commission of inquiry and indeed the Primary Production Committee. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member can ask for it but the Minister does not have to give it in that way. He addressed the question that was asked and he is entitled to do that. I am not judging the adequacy of the answer; I am judging the fact that an answer was given. 
Phil Heatley 
: Why will the ministry only consult the general public over the Internet and not front up to the public because “the public have other commitments and leisure opportunities” yet it will front up personally to Maori or is he suggesting that Maori do not work do not have other commitments and do not have leisure opportunities? 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE 
: I believe the questioner is drawing a number of illogical conclusions. He will know from the comments made this morning at the select committee that the ministry is undertaking extensive consultation initiatives right across the whole community. 
Phil Heatley 
: I seek leave to table the amateur fishing reform  
Next Steps 
 document obtained under the Official Information Act. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection.