In an attempt to shut down inconvenient questioning and avoid accountability, newly appointed Minister Winston Wilhelmus III surprisingly implied the Prime Minister did not have any responsibilities for the government’s agenda.

The simple fact is that the Prime Minister is the head of the government, and per section 2.10 of the Cabinet Manual, the Prime Minister is ultimately responsible for the government’s general policy direction.

“The claim from a Cabinet Minister that the Prime Minister no longer has any responsibilities for the Government’s actions and policies is bold and illuminating if true. Of course, it probably isn’t true, but it is an entertaining attempt from the new Minister to ‘save’ the Prime Minister from answering questions.” says imnofox.

“Ministers can’t make up new constitutional conventions on the fly, and the idea that the Prime Minister has no responsibilities for any of their government’s actions has no precedent. I know Prime Minister PM_ME_CHRETIEN well, and I know for certain he doesn’t need to be rescued or saved from a line of questioning.” says Co-Leader ARTB.

The Green Party firmly believes the government and its Ministers should be upfront and honest to the public, instead of trying to hide behind irrelevant points of order. A Green-led government would be the most open and transparent government Aotearoa has ever had.