Mallard Trevor: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Mallard Trevor: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:653;Page:2203] 
3. 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) 
 to the  
Chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee 
: When and how did he become aware that John Judge chair of the ACC board would not attend the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee’s examination of the 2007-08 ACC financial review? 
DAVID BENNETT (Chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee): 
 I had not asked Mr Judge to attend the meeting on 12 March. The Labour members of that committee I am sure got great value out of the Minister’s attendance though. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Did Dr Nick Smith tell him that John Judge was not coming? 
DAVID BENNETT 
: I did not ask Mr Judge to attend that meeting. Dr Nick Smith was in attendance at that meeting. It was very valuable to have his attendance as the Minister at that meeting and we agreed on his attendance. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Did Dr Nick Smith tell him that John Judge would not be attending that meeting? 
DAVID BENNETT 
: It was agreed that the Minister would attend the meeting and I think that was very helpful for all the members at that meeting. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Supplementary question— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think we have explored the matter. It is most unusual to allow two supplementary questions. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It was a very simple question. It was one that goes right to a discussion that the chair had—and that the chair has been reported publicly as having had—with Dr Nick Smith. That is something that must be within his memory. He must be able to answer the question. He has not even addressed it. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think the honourable member should reflect on the set of questions and answers. We should remember that the honourable member who is the chair of the committee has told us that he did not invite John Judge and was unaware of Mr Judge being invited to attend the committee so I do not see how he can then be aware that he was not coming. I think the member needs to reflect on the balance of questions and answers there. Maybe if he wishes he could put down a further primary question but I think we have exhausted all the possibilities of this set of questions today. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That would be entirely accurate other than for the fact that in the public part of the committee and in the media— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I am sorry but can I just finish. Both Dr Nick Smith and the chair of the committee have indicated that there was an agreement that because John Judge was not coming Dr Nick Smith would. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: We cannot allow that— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: He has already said that in the House. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I cannot allow further supplementary questions on that basis because I do not have that kind of authentication. Primary questions can have that kind of authentication. I do not believe we can pursue the matter further today. Do not forget that I have already allowed two supplementary questions on this question and I think that is fair and reasonable.