Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Interruptions Housing—Replies to Questions 
Points of Order — Questions for Oral Answer—Interruptions Housing—Replies to Questions 
[Volume:633;Page:5187] 
Points of Order 
Questions for Oral Answer—Interruptions 
Hon PETER DUNNE (Minister of Revenue) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. It may be appropriate to raise this point at this stage before questions commence. Yesterday was probably the most raucous rowdy question period I can recall in over 20 years in this place and for at least one correspondent this morning who is a regular listener to Parliament it was the worst in over 35 years. Last week or the week before you ruled that orchestrated barracking would not be tolerated. We had that from both sides yesterday on occasion. Before today’s round begins I am seeking your assurance that you will honour your previous ruling and that those who indulge in orchestrated barracking will be asked to leave the Chamber so that the rest of us can hear what is going on. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I thank the member for his comment. I will certainly enforce that to the best of my ability but it is largely in the hands of members themselves; otherwise there would be few people left within the Chamber and I do not see that that would serve any useful purpose—though some may disagree with me. But I do ask members to respect the right of others and those who are listening to be able to hear the answer. It is not to prevent people from expressing themselves but in fact to provide that freedom of expression that I think this House wishes to uphold—the right to hear what others say. 
GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I make a suggestion that perhaps part of yesterday’s problem arose from the decision there could be interjection while questions were being asked—and I would point out that it was in fact Mr Dunne who sought that ruling from you some weeks back. I also think you cannot avoid—and I note that Mr Dunne’s correspondent made it abundantly clear—that it is the answers given by Ministers that cause much of the problem. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 Madam Speaker if you cast your mind back to yesterday you will recall there was actually a lot more barracking during answers than during questions. I think members who are relatively new members cannot remember the days when there was some balance in this House between Government and Opposition and Government members were allowed to interject regularly and there was what I think was generally regarded as a free and even flow. That has tightened up in recent years. Following a request there has been some balance restored and I think it now behoves both sides of the House to decide whether that balance comes down to a level that is reasonable or not. 
But I want to make it clear that as far as I am concerned and many Government members are concerned if allegations of corruptness are used against us then we will tell the truth about members opposite. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I thank members for their comments. I did of course consult widely before the last ruling was made and it was made in the context as I have said before that all members in this House should be free to express themselves but they should be able to do that in a way that is consistent with other members being heard. That is all that is being sought within this House. As I said it is for members themselves also to take some responsibility for this. In my judgment often the answers follow the questions as well and I do intend in respect of both questions and answers to make them as consistent with the Standing Orders as is humanly possible. 
Housing—Replies to Questions 
PHIL HEATLEY (National—Whangarei) 
: 
 I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. You will recall I wrote to you on a matter of privilege to do with the Minister of Housing. I thank you for your reply to that. I also wrote you a second letter regarding the ongoing habit of my receiving misleading answers on housing questions and the media receiving different answers from those given to myself. One was on hui and whanau where the Minister replied that he could not collate the information for me over 5 working days but he gave it to the media when they asked for it within hours. Another was where the media were given corrected answers to a parliamentary question on State house income earnings but I did not receive a corrected reply for 3 weeks. Another was on declared boarder numbers where the Minister told the media there were 1000 boarders then told this House there were 7000 boarders. 
I wonder when I will get a reply on that particular complaint about my receiving wrong incorrect information from the Minister of Housing and the media receiving different information from the Minister of Housing or receiving it in a more timely manner. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: As the member is aware that is not a point of order; the member will receive a reply in due course.