Mallard Trevor: General Debate 
Mallard Trevor: General Debate 
[Volume:624;Page:19243] 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Education) 
: 
 I point out for people who do not know that that was Dr Paul Hutchison—“Dr Paul”. I understand he was the doctor who used to be on the radio just before  
Portia Faces Life 
. The one thing I can say is that he is sitting on the bench that belongs to Dr Nick Smith and it was the best speech that has come from that bench for several months. But that is not saying a lot. We know that if Lynda Scott had still been the Opposition spokesperson on health National would have had some energy knowledge and integrity in the position. She would not use her position as a doctor to mislead and scare people on the radio the way that that obnoxious member did earlier this morning. 
Dr Hutchison deliberately scared old people and misled them. He did not know what he was talking about. He could well end up in front of the Medical Council for his obnoxious behaviour—if he still holds a licence; I do not know whether he does. That sort of approach from someone who says he cares about older people is just disgraceful. One of the most important things that a doctor has to do is tell the truth and be sure of the facts and Dr Paul Hutchison did not do that on the radio this morning. It is absolutely disgraceful but it is consistent with the approach of the National Party. He is following in the ways of Dr Brash. Dr Brash just cannot maintain his position. Using the term “flip-flop” is generous as far as Dr Brash is concerned. He is totally failing to lead his party. 
It is not often these days that I agree with Richard Prebble. I used to agree with him a lot more in the past when he was a left-winger but he is getting it right and Dr Brash is failing to lead his party. That is why the bets are going on as to who will replace Dr Brash. Currently the odds are 4:1 on John Key and 7:2 on Katherine Rich—quite a canny little approach. We all know that Katherine Rich has been working her way around the country talking to the people who are likely to come in on the National Party list. She is working on those ones—she is ignoring some of the old fools in the House—who are likely to come in to replace some of the current members. She is getting her numbers together. We are told that the odds for Winston Peters are 5:1. I do not know why he would do it but Winston Peters has been asked again by Gerry Brownlee to merge with the National Party. Apparently he is turning it down. The odds for Bill English are 10:1. He got up to about 6:1 a couple of weeks ago but at the point when he started to attack his old friend and funder RongoWetere the odds began to slip away again. People are just beginning to wonder. [ 
Interruption 
] We are working our way through Dr Brash’s book— 
Darren Hughes 
: Yes it’s a great read. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Well it is sort of interesting. I wonder about chapter 8 page 202. I have not read all the way to chapter 8 but this bit has been identified for me. I know that for me it would create some tension at home if my partner said that getting into bed with me was like getting into bed with the guy in  
Steptoe and Son 
—the way Dr Brash’s wife said. The idea of getting into bed with that “dirty old man”— 
Jill Pettis 
: With false teeth! 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: No false teeth actually. It is an interesting approach—that someone like Dr Brash would publish a book about himself in which his wife said that getting into bed with him was like getting into bed with the guy from  
Steptoe and Son 
. 
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: I caution the Minister about bringing a spouse into the debate. That is not acceptable. I ask the Minister to withdraw. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I withdraw. I want to make it clear that all I am doing and will continue to do is to quote from the biography of Dr Brash according to Dr Brash. 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. It does not really matter what Dr Brash said in his biography. There is a convention—and I really would ask that the Government think hard if it is go down this course—that we do not involve members’ spouses in debate. That is a course of action that as any sensible member of Parliament can see could lead to Parliament being an even more difficult job than it is at the moment and I would like you to caution the Government if it intends to continue along this line this afternoon. I think that would be a very grave mistake for the House to make. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Speaking to the point of order I have reflected on what the member has said and I accept that what I said was not in good judgment. I was quoting from the book but it was probably inappropriate to do so and I withdraw. 
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: I thank Mr Mallard and Mr Prebble. I would certainly refer members to Speaker’s ruling 38/2.