Personal Explanations — Apology—Withdrawal of Comment

Yesterday during the general debate I attempted to interpret an allegation made by Mr Tanczos and cast over all members of this House—an allegation to which I took personal offence. In doing so I unintentionally caused offence to another member of this House, the Rt Hon Winston Peters. That was unintended on my part. I wish to withdraw that comment, and to apologise to Mr Peters for any personal slight or incorrect inference that could be taken from my comments yesterday.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I wonder whether that fish and chip throwaway called the New Zealand Herald, which wrote that stinking editorial byline this morning, could possibly do the same tomorrow and apologise.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: If you can instruct the New Zealand press on what to do, then you are slightly better than I am.