3. Question No. 3—ImmigrationHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of ImmigrationQuestion No. 3—Immigration3. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Immigration: Other than Karel Sroubek's lawyer and family members who made representations on his behalf in respect of the deportation liability that was the subject of the Minister's decision on 19 September 2018?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration): I refer the member to the answer I gave when he asked me the same question yesterday.Hon Michael Woodhouse: When he said yesterday that some people had requested anonymity is former martial arts champion Mr Richie Hardcore one of those who requested anonymity?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: As I have said a number of times I do not consider that it is in the public interest to name specific individuals. However—however—given that the Prime Minister has confirmed that she received unsolicited communication from Richie Hardcore I am prepared to confirm to the House that I did not receive any communication from him prior to making my decision.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does he consider an unsolicited text from a friend of Karel Sroubek to the Prime Minister to be a form of representation?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Not when it comes—Hon Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. What ministerial responsibility does the Minister of Immigration have for text messages that are sent to the Prime Minister?SPEAKER: I'm prepared to let the question go because it could well be—if the timing was different and the Prime Minister did something with it it could be a representation.Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Not when it comes—Hon Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That wasn't the question. If the member asked that question it would be a legitimate question. That wasn't the question that he asked. The Minister has no responsibility for the topic of the question that was asked. He could word his question in a different way to get it to a Minister's responsibility but the Minister doesn't have that responsibility.SPEAKER: Yes. I'm going to ask the member to ask it again. I thought it was right at the tangential edge of responsibility and I let it run and I haven't been convinced otherwise. Hon Michael Woodhouse: Speaking to the point of order—SPEAKER: No no. Just ask the question again so we get it straight. If it's badly out I'll rule it out.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Well I'll reserve the right to speak to it. Would he consider an unsolicited text from a friend of Karel Sroubek to the Prime Minister to be a form of representation?Hon Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The text message in question happened after the fact—after the Minister had made the decision. He has no responsibility for it.SPEAKER: And we have had a number of questions about representations to the Minister. The Minister's interpretation of whether something is a representation or not is something which he can explain to the House. I think he's perfectly capable of doing that. Frankly the more I listen to the question and the more I think about it the less merit I think the Leader of the House has. Hon Michael Woodhouse: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: No. I've asked the Minister to answer the question. There can't be a point of order.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Well it goes to the merit of the question. I would point out that the primary question was carefully worded not to include representations to the Minister of Immigration but about the deportation.SPEAKER: That's right and if I'd ruled it out the member might have a point but I've ruled it in.Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: No because a representation has to have some bearing on the decision that I make.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has there been any communication between the Prime Minister and himself with regards to the text message from Richie Hardcore and when did that first occur?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Yes after I made the second decision.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Given he is now playing—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Tell Richie we've changed our mind. SPEAKER: Order! I've just reversed my earlier decision. Thank you.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Given he is now playing the process of elimination game which he ruled out yesterday will he now disclose the names of all submitters who made representations?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: No. As I said I do not consider it in the public interest to name specific individuals. The only reason I've named Mr Hardcore is because his name has been raised in relation to the Prime Minister.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does he not agree though that we have now reached the point where public interest outweighs any issues of privacy with respect to the deportation liability of Mr Sroubek?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: No. I don't want people who in good faith made representations to be a subject of a witch-hunt from that member.