I wasn’t being rude, says minister

Rick Barker

The Small Business Minister yesterday rejected accusations that he had been rude during a meeting with prominent Tauranga entrepreneurs.

They sent an angry email to the Prime Minister after the meeting, complaining about Rick Barker's behaviour during the 35-minute session last week.

It asked Helen Clark to explain why the former trade unionist was given the portfolio when it appeared he lacked any business acumen.

Business consultant Roger Brady wrote in the email to Helen Clark that he was disgusted with the behaviour, attitude and demeanour of Mr Barker.

The Prime Minister's office responded that Mr Barker had apologised for any offence caused and that Helen Clark would be shown the email when she returned from overseas on May 1.

Mr Brady said Mr Barker arrived 10 minutes late for the round-table meeting with about a dozen business people.

During an address by Sanford Seafoods manager Ian van der Nagel, Mr Barker wrote a text message on his mobile phone. When he finished texting a few minutes later, he explained that he was finding out if a later flight was available. His phone rang after that with the message there were no later seats.

"In my opinion, he didn't actually listen to our concerns and wasn't interested in the least," Mr Brady said.

The meeting was organised by the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce after an approach by the Ministry of Economic Development, which wanted Mr Barker to hear about issues facing small business.

Thornbury Wines director Bruce McCutcheon said people had genuine concerns about compliance issues around the Resource Management Act, the Employment Relations Act, Occupational Safety and Health and a whole gamut of other requirements on small business.

"Instead he appeared to have nothing but contempt for how small business ticked. He thought we were all fat cats," Mr McCutcheon said.

Mr Barker said he was late for the meeting because of confusion about the timing of an earlier engagement, which started 30 minutes later than expected.

He said he had made up most of the time, but was still running 10 minutes late when he arrived at the business group's meeting.

When he realised it would take longer than the 30 minutes allotted he tried to get on a later plane by texting his staff member who was parking his car.

"I told them that was what I was doing, trying to spend more time with them.

"Once he rang me back and told me I couldn't get on a later flight, I turned the phone off.

"People who have known me long enough know I am not rude and arrogant.

"I treat people as I would like to be treated myself."

Mr Barker said he had many meetings with people with diametrically opposed views but they always managed to reach good outcomes because of respect for each other's views.

"Yes, I am disappointed that this result was not achieved on Thursday and I have spent some time reflecting on this."

- NZPA