Points of Order — Signage in the Chamber—New Zealand Labour Party

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. You have made a request that the matter of the extraordinary display by the Labour Party—clearly by lost individuals uncertain of who they are—here in the House this afternoon should be brought up in the Business Committee. The Business Committee is an informal arrangement, as I understand it, to consider the business of the House—the legislative programme and the various other procedural matters that relate to the business of the House. This would be a matter that perhaps needs to be dealt with by the Standing Orders Committee, which obviously does not meet all that often. In the meantime, I think it would be appropriate if you gave some ruling as to whether these displays are appropriate. They are a bit like a peacock, I suppose—

I just note that the member is raising the same point of order upon which I have ruled. If he does that again it will be considered a matter of disorder.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I point out that the Māori Party has been doing this for some weeks—and very attractive it looks, I may say, on its members’ desks. I assume under the National Party that it will be one law for all—a law that applies to the Māori Party also applies to a party that covers the general electorates at the same time and that has fewer members of Parliament. I see National Party members at the back displaying National Party signs. I think that Mr Ron Mark and Mr Pita Paraone—New Zealand First—also have been displaying such signs for a considerable period. It appears to be only when the Labour Party does something that Mr Brownlee ventures into one of his rare exercises in energy and rises to his feet to raise a point of order.

I also raised the matter—that is, I said I have seen similar displays from the National Party, as well. So, as I said, all parties have from time to time exhibited a need to display their signage. It is a matter—[Interruption] No, I am sorry, it is. This is a matter for the Business Committee. If the Business Committee feels it is a matter that should be referred to the Standing Orders Committee, then so be it. I look forward to members’ contributions at that meeting later this afternoon.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I just point out to the House that the Māori Party signs were donated, and did not have the parliamentary crest on them, and that would imply that public money has been spent on the stickers.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I just note for members that that is yet another invalid point of order. I sincerely hope that it will be the last of them for the day.