David Carter, answer to a Parliamentary written question 14809 (2009), 29 September 2009:
Dr Russel Norman to the Minister of Agriculture (29 Sep 2009): Has he discussed an appeal on the special tribunal's report on a Water Conservation Order application on the Hurunui River with any party; if so, who, when and what was the nature of that discussion?David Carter, "Green Party claims scurrilous", 1 April 2010:Hon David Carter (Minister of Agriculture) replied: No
“Last year, in conjunction with Hurunui Mayor Garry Jackson and Bede O'Malley, chair of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy steering group, I discussed with all parties involved in the Hurunui WCO process the possibility of an integrated approach to try and avoid the issue escalating to the Environment Court.So, he lied then.
This matters. While less visible than Question Time, written questions are a vital means of holding the government to account. If Ministers can just lie in their answers, then there is no accountability.
A few minutes ago, Bill English was defending Carter's actions in the House. But then, we know all about his standard of "honesty". So much for "high standards" in government.
Update: And to avoid any Clintonesque technical wriggling, the meeting occured on 3 September 2009 [PDF], and Bill English confirmed in Parliament today that it was in Carter's Ministerial capacity rather than in his role as an MP.
