[Sitting date: 27 November 2014. Volume:702;Page:11. Text is subject to correction.]

11. RON MARK (NZ First) to the Minister of Corrections : Does he stand by all of his statements in the House yesterday?

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Minister of Corrections): Yes, in the context in which they were given.

Ron Mark : Is the Minister aware that under New Zealand law, a person subject to a sentence imposed by a New Zealand court, the effect of which requires the applicant to remain in New Zealand, may not receive a passport, regardless of what name they use on the application?

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA : My understanding is that prisoners do not automatically lose the right to be issued with a passport, but that is a matter—as I said yesterday—for the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Ron Mark : Is it not a matter for this Minister, though, that the responsibility for ensuring that communications between inmates and agencies outside, and communications with inmates and associates outside, that allow them to hoodwink and dupe his other Ministers’ departments is his responsibility? Can he confirm that?

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA : It is my understanding that the Department of Corrections is responsible for communications from inside the prison to some agencies outside, yes.

Ron Mark : Is the Minister aware through the failings of his own intelligence-gathering sources of his department and his operational staff that even in the editorial this morning his ministry, and his Government, is becoming a laughing stock, and can he assure the people of New Zealand—

Hon Simon Bridges : I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This is far away from the question that has been asked—“Does he stand by all his statements?”—and now he is asking for opinions about an editorial in the paper.

Mr SPEAKER : In actual fact, it is a long-winded question, and that is why it is creating some difficulty. But the question itself is in order. The member has then used the editorial that he has found in a particular daily paper to reinforce his question. The difficulty we have is that if the question had been shorter and sharper it would have been easier, but I think we have got the gist of it. If the Minister needs any further assistance with the question, I am happy for Ron Mark to continue, but otherwise it can be answered.

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA : Clearly in the Smith case mistakes have been made. We already know that. I am not happy about that and New Zealanders are not either. The recent review into the incident gave us 13 recommendations to improve temporary releases. We are adopting those, and as Minister I am keeping a close eye on their implementation.

Hon Trevor Mallard : I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I have just been advised from outside of the House that while the mikes are working here, the system does not appear to be working heading out of the House. [Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER : Order! There is certainly nothing that I can do from this position to assist with that at this stage. We are going to continue with question time.

Ron Mark : Does the Minister—accepting that he is new to his portfolio—

Mr SPEAKER : Can the member please just ask the question?

Ron Mark : Does the Minister recall previous gaffes by the corrections department and previous investigations of their failures, and does he not accept that this latest huge gaffe, which resulted in a vicious killer escaping custody, is going to seriously undermine the confidence of the public in his department and in the staff if someone does not pay the price and we are given assurance that those people who failed in this case will be—

Mr SPEAKER : We are now getting into speech material.

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA : No

ENDS

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