Outrage as Horomia unable to answer

By KEVIN TAYLOR

Struggling Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia came under more pressure yesterday when Te Mangai Paho did not give him information he needed to answer a question in Parliament.

Mr Horomia's inability to answer the question - he had been "a bit busy" with other matters - provoked outrage from opposition MPs.

Ministers are required to front up in Parliament each afternoon to answer questions covering their portfolios.

They are given about three hours' notice of the questions and high priority is usually given to obtaining information from their departments.

Mr Horomia has faced a barrage of questions from opposition MPs over the embattled Maori broadcasting funding agency.

A Treasury report into kickbacks and mismanagement at Te Mangai Paho last month prompted the resignation of chairman Toby Curtis.

He was replaced by Wira Gardiner, who this week put Te Mangai Paho chief executive Trevor Moeke on paid leave pending the outcome of a performance review.

Mr Gardiner's appointment was yesterday extended to one year.

In Parliament yesterday, Act MP Rodney Hide asked Mr Horomia for the number of performance reviews Mr Curtis undertook of Mr Moeke and whether the board had agreed to roll Mr Moeke's contract over for another three years.

But Mr Horomia, schooled at the weekend by Labour's media trainers Brian Edwards and Judy Callingham, said he could not answer the first question because Te Mangai Paho's chairman had changed and the agency had been unable to get provide the information in time.

He said Mr Curtis and the board agreed to roll over Mr Moeke's contract last October.

"I've been a bit busy this morning, and I've asked for more information to be provided and look forward to getting that this afternoon."



Mr Hide said it was a blatant attempt not to answer a simple question. National deputy leader Roger Sowry said parliamentary questions required the attention of ministers and their staff.

Leader of the House Dr Michael Cullen said every effort was made by Mr Horomia's office to get the information but because of the staffing changes it was not able to be produced on time.

Mr Hide also asked Mr Horomia when he learned Mr Moeke's contract had been rolled over.

The minister said he did not have the information and would reply in writing.