Points of Order — Party Leaders’ Staff—Ministerial Responsibility

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek a considered ruling at another time from you on this matter. On 10 October 2006 Dr Brash questioned the Prime Minister on the actions of her chief of staff, Heather Simpson. Points of order followed, which discussed Ms Simpson’s status and the capacity in which she acted. You ruled: “Of course Ministers are responsible for their staff; the capacity they may work in, however, is a different matter.” The key phrase of your ruling is “capacity they”—the staff—“may work in …”. At today’s Government Administration Committee in public session, Ministerial Services advised that Ms Simpson is paid solely by Ministerial Services, and she is not paid from the Labour leader’s parliamentary budget. This means, I would suggest to you, that Ms Simpson has only one capacity she may work in—to relate to the point of your ruling. Therefore, the Prime Minister, as the responsible Minister, must answer questions relating to the performance of activities by her chief of staff, as Ms Simpson works only in that one capacity. I would appreciate your considered ruling on this matter.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I am happy to do so.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. In doing so I think it would be useful for the House to know whether your ruling will stand as a ruling of general principle—that is, that any member of ministerial staff could claim to be acting in a different capacity when he or she does something—or whether you inquired into the circumstances of this particular staff member. That is important so that the House will know whether your ruling is setting a precedent for all ministerial staff, or whether it is a ruling that applies only to the circumstances of Ms Heather Simpson.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: No, it will be a general ruling.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think it will be very helpful to have that ruling. Perhaps at the same time you might care to give us a ruling about whether staff employed in the leaders’ offices of other parties can have questions asked about their activities, by way of written question to you.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: Yes, I am happy to consider that, as well.