Points of Order — Privilege—Procedure for Raising Alleged Breaches

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My point of order is that the Rt Hon Winston Peters wrote to you on 3 October 2012, with a reminder yesterday on 15 October 2012, concerning an investigation into a breach of parliamentary privilege by the right honourable Prime Minister—

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Order! Order! [Interruption] Order! The member will resume his seat, or he will be—the member will resume his seat. That has nothing to do with the proceedings of the House. Those matters are dealt with by a letter to the Speaker, and the matter is being dealt with. It is not a matter to be dealt with—[Interruption] Order! I am on my feet. The member will learn to respect that or he will be joining his leader. It is his choice, just like I warned other members. It is their choice. They comply with my rulings or they leave the House.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. On that same matter, surely the House is entitled to an explanation—

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have ruled on that matter, and that is the end of the matter. I am sorry, but all members have to be treated the same. The matter is not a matter legitimately raised by point of order in the House, and that is the end of that matter.

I seek leave to table the letters to you from the Rt Hon Winston Peters.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table those documents. Is there any objection? There is objection.

I seek leave to table two letters to you from the Rt Hon Winston Peters, one dated 3 October 2012 and one dated 15 October 2012, concerning a request for an investigation to be undertaken into a breach of parliamentary privilege by the Rt Hon John Key.

Leave is sought to table those documents. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

Documents, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Would it be possible—I am asking as a member of the Privileges Committee on this occasion—for you to give the House an indication of when you might have concluded an answer to the request set out in the letter, please?

The Speaker receives such letters on a frequent basis. There is nothing unusual about that. In fact, the Prime Minister’s response on this occasion was received yesterday, and the matter is being considered today.