The article on the NewsRoom websitetoday about the opponents of the proposed Ngawha prisonaccusing the Department of Corrections of trying to ruinthem

Nandor Tanczos: With reference to hisearlier answer, and to the article on the NewsRoom websitetoday about the opponents of the proposed Ngawha prisonaccusing the Department of Corrections of trying to ruinthem, is the Minister telling the House that thedepartment's policy is to spend money Rosetta Stone V3 to get support, but,if it cannot get it, to bankrupt opponents? Hon. MARKGOSCHE: My understanding is that there is a considerableamount of money required for the consultation process forall the prisons that are currently being planned to bebuilt. If the money is not spent, it will hold up theprojects, because local councils require adequateconsultation under law. Rt Hon. Winston Peters: Howdoes the Minister explain to the country the apparentcontradiction that it is wise to return prisoners back tothe whx17D,nau and local circumstances from whence theyoriginally came, when that local circumstance was the originof their offence in the first place? Hon. MARK GOSCHE:We are not proposing that they go back to the scene of thecrime, we are talking about having adequate contact with thewhx17D,nau and the family as part of the rehabilitation process.I do not think it is possible for people in Auckland toeasily get to Invercargill to be involved in thatprocess.Question No. 11 to Minister John Carter: Iraise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I draw to your attentionan incident that occurred at the beginning of last term,when Mr Heatley--who was a relatively new member ofParliament at that stage--sought a question, and was slow tohis feet, and you therefore ruled that he had missed hisquestion. We were not able to go back to that question. Idistinctly remember that. You ruled that he had not asked itquickly enough. In this particular instance, we have asituation where the member did not even seek the call. I waslooking, and it was obvious. Given that we have a situationwhere a question was not permitted, it should not be allowedin this instance either. Mr SPEAKER: I do not need anyassistance on this. I refer members to Speaker's ruling123/1: ``If when a question is called the member in whosename it stands elects not to ask it, the member cannot becompelled to do so, and unless leave is sought and given topostpone it the question would disappear from the OrderPaper.'' That is exactly right. The member Rosetta Stone Spanish Latin knows theSpeaker's rulings of Mr Speaker Jack and certainly of MrSpeaker Kerry Burke, as he was in the House when Kerry Burkewas Speaker. All that I can do is seek the leave of theHouse for the question to be asked, if anyone objects, itwill not be asked. Leave is sought. Does anyone object?There is no objection.Ecosystems--Islands 11. DAVIDCUNLIFFE (NZ Labour--New Lynn) to the Minister ofConservation: Have there been any significant recentdevelopments in the protection of island ecosystems? Hon. CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation): I am delightedto report that the Department of Conservation has recentlycompleted an aerial poison drop on Raoul Island island,aimed at eradicating rats and feral cats, which havedecimated the island's native wildlife. The operation wentsmoothly, and the indications are that it will besuccessful. This Government's major funding increases forconservation made that internationally significant advancein threatened species conservation possible. DavidCunliffe: What contribution have volunteers made toconservation initiatives on Raoul Island? Hon. CHRISCARTER: Volunteers operating under the highly successfulconservation volunteers programme have been working closelywith departmental weed control experts on a 10-yearprogramme to eliminate aggressive, invasive weeds from RaoulIsland. Earlier this year, a team of 12 volunteers spent 12weeks on the island working on weed programmes. Thedepartment is very grateful for their help. ShaneArdern: What guarantees can the Minister give that theisland's ecosystems will be protected, given theGovernment's appalling record on biosecurity control, andits failure to manage incursions such as the varroa bee miteand the painted apple moth? Hon. CHRIS CARTER: TheDepartment of Conservation has an enviable and proud recordof eliminating pests on offshore islands. IanEwen-Street: What action has, and will be, taken in responseto the recent finding of suspected rat faeces on KapitiIsland? Hon. CHRIS CARTER: As soon as there was areport of rat droppings, the Department of Conservationimplemented an emergency response with poison bait stationsbeing placed around the area. It is suspected that if thedroppings found on the island by a member of the public wereindeed rat droppings, they came from the pre-eradicationperiod. A permanent bait station has been located close tothe site. I am pleased to report that the bait has not beendisturbed. Hon. Richard Prebble: I raise a point oforder, Mr Speaker. Since leave has been given, I feel thatwe should be able to hear the answer. I could not hear aword of what the Minister said. I Rosetta Stone Spain Spanish am interested to know theanswer to the question asked. I wonder whether the Ministercould give that answer again. I could not hear what he wassaying. I am not sitting very far from him. Mr SPEAKER:The member makes a very valid point. There was a little bitof interjection, some of it of levity. I wonder whether theMinister could summarise the answer in one sentence. Hon. CHRIS CARTER: I would be pleased to. A full emergencyresponse is in place, but as yet, no evidence of live ratshas been found. (Uncorrected transcript - subject tocorrection and further editing) End of Questions forOral Answer.