Rich Katherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members Question No. 7 to Minister  
Rich Katherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members Question No. 7 to Minister  
[Volume:620;Page:15376] 
9. KATHERINE RICH (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Internal Affairs 
: Does he have full confidence that all projects receiving funding from the Department of Internal Affairs are meeting their objectives; if not why not? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Internal Affairs) 
: 
 Generally yes. All projects receiving funding from the Department of Internal Affairs are required to set objectives and targets. Ongoing funding is dependent on objectives and targets being met. 
Katherine Rich 
: Can he explain why the objectives of a 3-year $180000 grant to Te Amorangi Richmond were not completed and does he think the hip-hop tour media coverage is sufficient excuse for it not finishing the project as has been accepted by his department? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: The hip-hop project was looked at very closely and I think the department has learnt from that—very much so. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Perhaps the Minister could develop that answer just a little bit further. [ 
Interruption 
] I will make the ruling on that not the member. I have asked the Minister to comment further on it and that is sufficient. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: That is being looked at. It actually falls under a different portfolio which is the portfolio of the Minister of Labour. 
Katherine Rich 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was very carefully worded. I asked about a Department of Internal Affairs grant to Te Amorangi Richmond which falls under the Minister’s portfolio area. Although I referred to the hip-hop grant which falls under Minister Maharey’s portfolio my question was quite clearly about the Department of Internal Affairs grant. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: All I can say is that the Minister has given an answer. He has addressed the question. But he might like to comment further. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: I will call for a report on that and see what is happening. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My point of order is in respect of Standing Order 370. On three occasions in response to Katherine Rich’s question you said to the Minister that he might comment on her question. That is not what Standing Order 370 states. I draw to your attention that Ministers must do more than simply comment on a question. You said three times that the Minister was to comment. That is not what is in Standing Order 370 which deals with replies to questions. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I was wrong. I should have said “address the question” but I did not. 
Katherine Rich 
: What plans does the Minister have for the Department of Internal Affairs social entrepreneur scheme in light of the fact that his colleague the Minister for Social Development and Employment has canned the Department of Labour’s social entrepreneur scheme; and is his performance in answering these questions today not a clear indication of why there is so much speculation about his ministerial position? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The first part of the question can be answered. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: That is a poisonous little question but I would say that one must ask that member to put up the evidence. So far she has not. She has asked a lot of written questions but she has not put up any information at all. She is all rumour smear and scam. 
Katherine Rich 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The Minister might like to diminish my question by a personal attack but my question actually was what he intended to do with the Department of Internal Affairs social entrepreneur scheme in light of the fact that his colleague has canned the Department of Labour’s version. That is what the question was about; it was not about any allegations that I have made. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Does the Minister want to address that question further? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: I already have. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister has said that he already has. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was a very reasonable question. In not answering it is the Minister now saying that he cannot give an answer consistent with the public interest in this matter? The question simply was what he will do with a scheme. He gave a whole lot of babble about what other people might think or what other people have said. It is his view his position that he will take as a Minister that is in question. Surely he can give an answer to that. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: What I am saying is that if the member has any correct accusations she should bring them to me. She has not as yet. 
Katherine Rich 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is the same issue. My question was a very simple question which asked what the future of the social entrepreneur scheme within the Department of Internal Affairs is. There were no accusations or allegations. I am asking about what the future of the social entrepreneur scheme within his portfolio area is. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think the Minister can be required to answer that question. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: In my original answer I said that all projects that receive funding from the Department of Internal Affairs are required— 
Katherine Rich 
: Is it going to continue or not? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: —bad manners young lady—to set objectives and targets. Ongoing funding is dependent on objectives and targets being met. What she does not understand about that I do not know. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Perhaps the Minister could not hear what the question was. This is becoming completely outrageous. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Please get to the point of order. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: The Minister indicated that some accusation has been made by Katherine Rich against this programme. No such accusation has been made at all. The facts of these matters and the rorts around them are now part of public record. The question simply asks whether the scheme will continue—not whether individual projects will continue but whether the scheme itself will. Mr Maharey surprisingly has acted appropriately and has got rid of his scheme. Will Mr Hawkins do the same? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No he did answer the question. He mentioned that ongoing funding was dependent on particular circumstances and that certainly addressed that question.