I posted a teaser on 4 July.
Now the Education and Science Committee has met, reported to the house and confirmed minutes.
The Committee on a 5 – 4 vote led by Jo Goodhew decided not to forward questions relating to the budget’s effect on regional and rural polytechnics and on universities and Ministry of Education advice on expenditure reductions. The Chair, Alan Peachy ruled the questions in order and relevant but then voted against sending it to the Minister for answer.
This approach was within standing orders but unprecedented. The estimates process is a key part of the opposition information collection system. Labour and Green members were outraged.
To help convince the government to return to the approach of previous govenments over the last twenty years I tabled over 1,000 questions and sent the minister over 100 OIAs.
I was therefore not surprised when last week the National members of the committee folded, relented and allowed the questions to go from the committee to the Minister.
Goodhew see a bit of humble pie being sampled.
>To help convince the government to return to the approach of previous govenments over >the last twenty years I tabled over 1,000 questions and sent the minister over 100 OIAs.
You are an evil man, Trevor!
I can see that inter-office relationships are improving now you are out of the country – thats probably the nicest thing you have ever said to me.
Allan Peachey could scarcely do otherwise in the end.
He submitted thousands more Questions for Written Answer in the last parliamentary term than Trevor did on this occasion.
I acknowledge however that David Choat may see Peachey in the same light as he sees you Trevor – another evil man! Is this the case Mr Choat?