7. Police—Deputy Commissioner of Police Inquiry into the Appointment ProcessHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime MinisterPolice—Deputy Commissioner of Police Inquiry into the Appointment Process7. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime Minister: Does her Government expect high standards from all Government departments and Ministers?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Yes.Hon Paula Bennett: Will the terms of reference for the inquiry into the appointment process for the Deputy Commissioner of Police include consideration on whether or not the appointee is a suitable candidate or is it still the case as per the Cabinet paper that his suitability will not be considered?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I have outlined in the past when I've been asked such questions this inquiry will look at whether or not all relevant information was properly provided to or gathered by the State Services Commission during the appointment process. That would of course include appropriate reference checks and information you would usually expect to be included in those reference checks. At the conclusion of that inquiry if it's found that we were not properly furnished with all of the information that we should've been then it would be up to potentially the State Services Commission or Solicitor-General to look into the suitability of the candidate in the aftermath of that first inquiry.Hon Paula Bennett: Does she have confidence in Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: As I have previously outlined we're undertaking this inquiry to ensure that we go through a proper process that we were furnished with all the information we should've been to make a judgment as to the suitability of the candidate. If we find that that information was not properly passed on then I'll look at whether or not it needs to go to the Solicitor-General or the State Services Commissioner.Hon Paula Bennett: So does she believe that he should stand down at the very least temporarily while this inquiry takes place since she either cannot or will not currently express confidence in him?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: If the member is referring to the issues around bullying in the workplace that is a matter for the police to look into. I have seen that they've made this statement—the Commissioner of Police—that they will be investigating those complaints and are currently seeking further information around what has occurred then and it is perfectly proper that they do so.SPEAKER: Order! I am going to ask the Prime Minister to have another go at answering the question that was asked. Repeat the question.Hon Paula Bennett: Certainly. Does she believe that he should stand down at the very least temporarily while this inquiry takes place since she either cannot or will not currently express confidence in him?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I consider that an employment matter for the police and my understanding is that they have given assurances that they are investigating that issue and if they believe that's the appropriate step that would be for the commissioner to take that step.Hon Paula Bennett: Is it appropriate to leave someone in the very senior and very powerful role of Deputy Police Commissioner when the Prime Minister herself cannot express confidence in him at this time?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: This is an incredibly serious matter. It is an employment matter. We are making sure we're going through a proper process that includes the ability for someone to investigate whether or not we were furnished with the information we required to make the appointment in the first place. If there are allegations of bullying in the workplace that is for the employer to look into and it's perfectly proper that they do so.Hon Paula Bennett: Is she concerned that after 11 years of police working incredibly hard to change their attitude and their culture towards victims particularly of sexual assault and intimidation that the current fiasco could mean distrust in police rises and victims don't feel like they can come forward?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I absolutely reject that assertion. In fact the very reason that we are undertaking this inquiry is so that those groups can have faith that we have heard the concerns and that we are undertaking a proper process.