Carter John: General Debate 
Carter John: General Debate 
[Volume:654;Page:2937] 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister of Civil Defence) 
: 
 I must say that if that is the Greens’ definition of fun then obviously we need a new definition. Let me get back to the issue on the floor of the House which is Labour’s reshuffle. The first thing I want to talk about is the fact that in the statement of announcement yesterday the Hon Phil Goff said that both Michael and Helen made huge contributions to the party and to New Zealand but that now the time has come to move forward. 
What a backhanded compliment to Helen and Michael! It is saying obviously that when they were in charge everything was going backwards which of course is true—that is why they were so soundly defeated. But it is mind-boggling to suggest now that the Opposition without mum and dad leading it is going forward. I hate to say this but I really have to draw an analogy between 1999 and 2000 and us and them as they are right now. National went through a difficult time after it was defeated in 1999 but compared with the line-up that Labour has just put up National at least looked like a bright hope for the future whereas these guys look like no hope and no future. That is the issue that is important. 
Let me turn to Phil Twyford for a minute. That guy has come in here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and obviously everybody is thinking: “Wow we’ll make a go of this.” Then a vacancy occurs in the Mt Albert electorate. So Phil says: “Hey I’ll have a go at this. I’ll put my hand up. My union is going to back me. I’ll be right in there. I’ll run the case for you. Leave it up to me.” And what happened? He was hit right between the eyes—blown out of the water. He was not wanted and he was sent to the backbenches. In fact where is he on the list? Let me just check. I have the list here. Goodness gracious me! He is so far back that he is No. 58 and there are only 42 of them. Goodness gracious me! How bad is that? I bet he goes on strike shortly. That is the way these things go. That will be what happens. 
You know that is the problem with the Labour Party—it is so disorganised that it cannot even get its line-up right. I saw Trevor Mallard sitting on the front bench so I went through the list and I saw him listed— 
Hon Member 
: New leader! 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: I am coming to the leader in a minute. I went through the list and—hello hang on a minute—I saw that Trevor Mallard is still at No. 12. How can someone be on the front bench and be at No. 12? He is actually behind Shane Jones. That is an interesting thing when I think about it. 
Members should have a look at what is happening over there. Right now the deputy leader Annette King is sitting in her seat. Who is sitting beside her? It is Labour’s bright hope for the future—the guy who blushes every time he stands up and talks—the shadow Leader of the House. I was talking to somebody about him the other day. I said: “Do you know who the shadow Leader of the House is? It is Darren Hughes.” Do you know what that person said? He said “Hughes that?”. Well bless my soul! 
Who was sitting in that seat just before Darren? Funnily enough Shane Jones was. Well there we go—Shane Jones was sitting in that seat. But I tell members to look at whom he is sitting beside now. He is starting to do his numbers already. He is sitting there with Stuart Nash saying “Look Stuart I tell you what we’ll do. I’ll put you on the front bench in a year or two; you back me for leader. I’ll be there. Mind you we might have to wait until Mr Cunliffe has had a shot at it but it will come around. Just hang on in there Stuart; it will be OK. Shane will look after you in due course as he gets the leadership.” 
You know it is a funny thing but the more we start looking at this line-up the more disappointed we have to be. It just goes to show that it is a reflection of what happens when a party goes into Opposition and starts going down the gurgler. 
Hon Darren Hughes 
: Well you would know. How many leaders did you lose when you were senior whip? 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: Well absolutely. But funnily enough I lost none during my time unlike that member—he has had members disappear and he has been a senior whip for only 2 minutes. He has already seen leaders go. When I look at this line-up— 
Hon Darren Hughes 
: Are they your junior? Who is this junior Minister? 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: He does even have the courtesy to know what the rules of the House are. He is addressing the Speaker in the wrong manner. 
Hon Annette King 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In terms of knowing the rules of the House that member has been a senior Government whip and he ought to know that we cannot address members by their first names only. 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: I did not. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I ask members to be a little careful. The member raising the point is quite right. When the member was speaking he did refer to another member by his first name and a number of interjectors have been saying “You did this.” and “You did that.” I remind members that every time they interject with the word “you” they are referring to the Speaker. Will both sides be a little more careful in their debates please. 
Hon JOHN CARTER 
: I will do my best to remember the names. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member’s time though has expired.