“How big is his hole?” – Nicola Willis asked hilarious question towards finance minister, Grant Robertson, at New Zealand Parliament Question time.
During Question Time, Willis prosecuted the Finance Minister over the state of the books, accusing him of “spraying New Zealanders’ money around” and only now asking the public sector to “tighten its belt”, following reports of a meeting between Robertson and public service bosses and a larger-than-expected fiscal hole.
Robertson hit back, pointing to past and ongoing savings and arguing the real issue was Willis now “couldn’t pay for the promises that had already been made”.
In what was until then a tense exchange Willis then began to respond, “How big is his hole…?”, before pausing over the last word as she realised the inference she could be making.
What began with a few chuckles as the faux pas caught on – the crucial word “fiscal” missing – built up to full-throttled laughter across the House. Willis attempted to, very briefly, carry on before giving in to the moment. Her colleague Joseph Mooney could be seen behind her barely containing himself.
“That is not in the public interest, I assure you,” the typically quick-witted Robertson responded, only leading to further howls of laughter from MPs of all stripes.
After Question Time, Robertson was asked about the question.
“As I said, it’s not in the public interest for me to discuss anything about that.”
As he said that, Willis walked past, with the pair laughing.
She said she was feeling “embarrassed”.
“Often my kids say to me, ‘What did you do at work today?’ I guess this is a story that they will relate to more than some of the others.”
She apologised to New Zealanders for putting that image in their heads.
“No offence was intended by the remark.”
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