Brownlee Gerry: Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
Brownlee Gerry: Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Volume:627;Page:21875] 
GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) 
: 
 I accept your call to speak Mr Chairman with great reluctance because I thought that the question put to the Minister by Mr Prebble was extremely reasonable. I am absolutely staggered that the Minister actually sank further into his chair when the bell rang to avoid any impression that he might have been about to stand and address this particular question before the Committee. I find it much as Mr Prebble does a bit alarming that this settlement appears to be founded on matters arising not only from the Treaty of Waitangi and the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi but also from common law including aboriginal title or customary law. I am not sure exactly what the confines of that might be. 
It concerns me a little that the Minister is so very reluctant to deal with this aspect of the bill. We know he is a relatively new Minister in this role but one would think that he might have asked officials: “Why are we doing this?”. I am sure that Ministers in all sorts of other areas ask their officials that question although I am not convinced that the Minister of Finance asked his officials that question prior to reading the Budget. It may be that the Government simply does not ask officials what is going on but asks them what they want it to do. If that is the answer that is fine but the Minister should let the Committee know. I would think though that he would have asked: “Why are we doing this?” and got the history. 
I am a bit staggered actually to learn a lot of the history tonight. I feel somewhat guilty that during the select committee process I did not find out the many aspects of this matter of which Mr Prebble spoke in the Committee tonight. It is easy when a particular story is put in front of one just to accept that everything is absolutely kosher. I suppose one learns that perhaps one cannot always believe the civil servants. I have to say that the latest missive from the Public Service Association causes me a great deal of concern about the quality of the advice that goes to any Government. I cannot believe how hell-bent that organisation seems to be on undoing the very people it is supposed to represent. 
I come back to the issue that has properly been raised by Mr Prebble and I ask the Minister whether he intends to make an explanation. 
Hon Mark Burton 
: I am continuing to listen to the member with interest. 
GERRY BROWNLEE 
: This is the Committee of the whole House. This is the part of the process when members get to ask a Minister a question. I have asked the Minister a question and he has said he is still listening. Does the Minister want me to say it a little louder? 
Hon Mark Burton 
: No certainly not. 
GERRY BROWNLEE 
: So he has clearly heard the question but knows it is impossible for him to answer. If it is not perhaps he would indicate—where has he gone? I cannot believe it. He has now sunk so low in the chair for fear that we might imagine he is rising to answer the question that we cannot even see him. I cannot believe that. If he is going to answer the question he should. I do not mean to make light of this because it is not funny. 
Hon Mark Burton 
: Stop misleading the listeners. 
GERRY BROWNLEE 
: The Minister must indicate whether he will take the call and give the Committee what should be a very simple answer. 
Hon Mark Burton 
: In the fullness of time. 
GERRY BROWNLEE 
: In the fullness of time the Minister will take a call. Well I have to say that the time for discussing this particular bill seems to be growing longer by the minute because if the Minister leaves us without answers he will leave us in the position of having continually to ask the same question. So I will sit down now.