8. DENIS O’ROURKE (NZ First) to the Minister of Defence: Is he satisfied that all issues arising from the 2010 Anzac Day helicopter accident have been properly dealt with by the Government and the RNZAF?

Hon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs) on behalf of the Minister of Defence: The Government is satisfied that the Air Force has learnt the appropriate operational lessons from this crash, as identified in the court of inquiry, and is implementing those lessons. The New Zealand Defence Force is waiting to receive a report from a barrister, Mr Matthew McClelland, examining the Air Force’s treatment of the families of the victims. The Defence Force is still awaiting further legal advice on potential disciplinary options.

Denis O’Rourke: As it is over 2 years since the crash, why have RNZAF officers not been charged as a result of any current disciplinary inquiry, considering Air Commodore Moore’s comments to the assembling authority of the court of inquiry that “There is now an obligation to investigate whether any offences have, in fact, been committed against the Armed Forces Discipline Act.”, and what actions have been taken by the Government and the RNZAF to deal with the culture issue, given the Air Commodore’s further comments: “The culture of No. 3 Squadron at Ōhākea is one of the most concerning of all causes, and negative aspects of this culture are present in all six causes.”?

Mr SPEAKER: The Minister, the Hon Murray McCully, may answer one of those questions.

Hon MURRAY McCULLY: The court of inquiry identified a number of factors related to Air Force orders, instructions, flying management, supervision, and work practices that were not satisfactory. I am advised that the Air Force has accepted these findings and made significant progress in implementing the changes. Additionally, the New Zealand Defence Force is working on a programme to improve pilot training systems.

Denis O’Rourke: Will the Government and the RNZAF apologise to the parents of Corporal Ben Carson for their incongruent treatment by the RNZAF, especially in being excluded from meetings and briefings to which the next of kin of other personnel killed or injured in accidents were invited, given the Carsons’ denial of the Minister’s claim that such an apology has already been given?

Hon MURRAY McCULLY: The RNZAF has already acknowledged that it made mistakes in the way in which families were treated. The Air Force has learnt lessons in this respect, and has apologised. The previous Minister of Defence initiated an independent review—that is the review I referred to earlier by the barrister Mr McClelland—which was subsequently—

Denis O’Rourke: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The answer has stated that an apology was given, whereas the question itself makes—

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member cannot use a point of order to dispute an answer being given. The member may not like the answer that is being given, but he cannot use a point of order to dispute it.

Hon MURRAY McCULLY: I would like to make a final point that the previous Minister of Defence, Dr Mapp, initiated an independent review by the barrister McClelland, which was subsequently widened to include the interests of all four families. Once Mr McClelland has completed his review, the Air Force can address any outstanding issues. I am advised that that review should be available in approximately 6 weeks’ time.

Denis O’Rourke: I seek leave to table these documents: firstly, a copy of a letter from the Minister of Defence to Mr and Mrs Carson, dated 24 April 2012, stating that the RNZAF had apologised to them, and—

Mr SPEAKER: Order! We will deal with each document separately. Leave is sought to table that letter. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

• Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

Denis O’Rourke: I seek leave to table a copy of an email dated 1 May 2012 from Mr and Mrs Carson to me, confirming that they have had no apology from the RNZAF.

Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

• Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.