I’m feeling somewhat bemused today. I sit on the Commerce Select Committee. I have to be very careful what I say, because under standing orders I’m not allowed to discuss what happened while the committee was “in committee”.
It’s a matter of public record that the committee met yesterday to discuss the terms of reference which will determine the scope of the inquiry.
But when this media release popped into my inbox this morning from the chair, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Lianne
DALZIEL
Commerce Spokesperson11 August 2011 MEDIA STATEMENT
Commerce Committee milk pricing inquiryLabour’s Commerce Spokesperson and Commerce Committee chair, Lianne Dalziel, says she understands people will be disappointed that the Committee has not issued a statement about progress on discussions on the terms of reference for the proposed milk pricing inquiry.
“I know there is a high level of public interest around this. However Standing Orders prevent the chair of the Select Committee issuing a statement on behalf of the committee unless that statement is fully authorised by the committee.
“I regret I can say no more than that at this stage,” Lianne Dalziel said.
Contact: Lianne Dalziel 0275 480 644.
Paid for by Vote Parliamentary Service and Authorised by Lianne Dalziel, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Immediately after the committee finished sitting yesterday, a group of journalists headed towards myself and Lianne Dalziel who remained in the committee room. They asked whether the terms of reference for the inquiry had been determined and what the outcome was.
Lianne replied, in front of other witnesses, including some National Party MPs, that she could not say until an agreed statement was released, which was expected to happen later that day. Surely this meant it would.
But it didn’t. Instead we get this release above. I wonder what happened in the interim? I’d like to say but my lips are sealed.
However, I just read this story on the Stuff website. Intriguing.
