Personal Explanations — Debate—Reflections on Members’ Families

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek leave to make a personal explanation regarding an interjection I made during question time today.

ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none.

Thank you. Today, during discussions around ministerial conflicts of interest, I observed that family members in successive Governments have been engaged within the Public Service in a wide range of roles, and conflicts of interest have been appropriately managed. New Zealand is a small country, and family members should not be precluded from public sector work simply because they’re related to someone holding elected office.

Later in the House, I interjected during question time, using Bill English and his family as an example. I did not intend to suggest in any way that the appointments involving his family were inappropriate; in fact, I was attempting to illustrate the opposite. I’ve worked directly with members of Mr English’s family, both in Government and in Opposition, and have found them to be very professional.

I regret that my interjection has been interpreted as suggesting the opposite of what I intended, and, on reflection, I also regret bringing the former member and his family into a debate that they were not part of. Accordingly, I withdraw and apologise for my interjections.