Every single one of the National Government’s 25 Ministers resigned earlier this afternoon, citing a desire to avoid ministerial responsibility during parliamentary question time.
The tactic, which former Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says he came up with “around lunch time,” significantly derailed opposition Labour and Green MPs in the House, who found themselves unable to direct their questions to anyone responsible for answering them.
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker,” began Green Party lo-co-motion leader Russel Norman at the opening of Question Time. “My question is to the Minister of Finance and asks, does he consider that the Government’s Meridian Energy sale was a failure, given that it attracted only 62,000 retail buyers, which is only a quarter of the 250,000 forecast?”
There was an awkward silence in the chamber as no one stood to answer.
“Uh, point of order, Mr. Speaker,” said Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee, rising to his feet. “There is no Minister of Finance.”
This process repeated itself over the course of the next hour, as MP after MP found themselves unable to pose a valid question.
Labour leader David Cunliffe described the tactic as “cynical” and “unbecoming,” but would not rule out using it if elected in 2014.
Former Prime Minister John Key plans to reappoint all of his ministers later this evening, though, according to sources, is now panicking having realised that his own resignation will make this somewhat difficult.