Māori Television Service (Te AratukuWhakaata Irirangi Māori) Bill

Just very briefly, I would like to contribute on two matters. First, I would like to draw to your attention to Standing Order 90—for your consideration after this evening—which is a quite unequivocal consequence of the refusal we saw from Mr Prebble to leave the House when directed to do so by you, and even after having been named. I must also, for the record, comment on the extraordinarily unparliamentary language that was used by that member, in calling you a liar and a little Hitler, and also in calling at least two of my colleagues fascists. Having made that point for the record, can I contest what Mr Carter said. In fact, neither Mr Carter who was on the telephone, nor Mr Prebble, who was reading the newspaper, did call. You quite properly put the vote. The vote was commenced, and could I ask please that we continue that vote so the House can rise for the evening.

💬 Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, we have to continue that vote. I will now put—[Interruption] No, I have dealt with the point of order. There is nothing that has been dealt with outside the Standing Orders, and I have dealt with—

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The senior Government whip has now doubted my word. I am an honourable member in this House. I have relayed the events as I saw them. You were halfway through putting the question—I do not deny that—when I sought the call. I am not suggesting that you had not started putting the question, but I did seek the call halfway through—

💬 Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Would the member please be seated. We need to finish dealing with this.

Yes, you do, but what I am offended by is that my word has been doubted. Unless there is evidence, members are honourable members in this House and should not have their word contradicted.

I tell the member that he contributes very well, and I certainly respect what he says. It was very clear; there was absolute silence. I looked around. I was surprised, and I realised that I had to put the question. It is as simple as that. We now have to put the vote.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am not going to advert to the Standing Orders, but I wish to remind you that when the call was taken by New Zealand First, that member attempted to take the call. In the natural order of things in this House, the normal practice would be that the Speaker reverts, having noted the intention, and turns to that speaker at the next call.

I thank the member. We have dealt with the matter. I know exactly what he is saying. Mr Prebble had called. I looked around. No member was calling. I cannot tell members to call. I will now put the vote on the—

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker.

💬 Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: We have dealt with the matter.

This is a fresh point of order. This House has to run with harmony. I think you will find that if we proceed down the path we are likely to, we may cause some aggravation that may cause difficulties in running the House over the next while. Given that you have made the decision that you have, and you have every right to do so, I would like to the seek leave of the House, even though you have started putting the question, that nevertheless, we continue with the debate and allow members of the House who want to make a contribution, who have a right to—and our party is one, and I think there are other parties—to do so. I seek the leave of the House for that so to happen. I see that the Deputy Leader of the House has come in, and he may want to consult his whip. I am trying to suggest a way through an issue that may well otherwise cause some grave disharmony in the House. I am seeking leave for the debate to be allowed to continue.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker.

💬 Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member has sought leave.

💬 John Carter: He may want to contribute.

💬 Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Did the member want to speak to the point of order?

Can I just clarify the request? Am I correct in understanding that the leave requested is for when the House next sits, or whenever this item continues on the Order Paper, for this third reading to continue?

💬 John Carter: Correct. That is entirely what I am asking.

The Government will not be opposing that leave.

💬 Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action? There is not. That course of action will be followed.

The House adjourned at 6.12 p.m.