Points of Order — Matter of Privilege—Update on Speaker’s Response
This is an entirely new point of order. I would like to seek clarity over a letter that we sent on 3 April in relation to a potential breach of privilege amounting to a contempt. This is in relationship to the Rt Hon Winston Peters saying—and I quote—“The number of frauds committed by the Green Party in the last election knows no bounds.” We haven’t had any resolution or communication in relationship to the outcome of this, and I raise this because I have concerns over the speed with which rulings like this one are made and the harsh consequences that come with it, over, for example, quite serious and, in my view, obvious breaches of the rules in the House that can be left unresolved for months.
Those are two very different matters: one was here in the House; the other was retrospectively referring to a matter in the House. Also, I will take particular responsibility for ensuring that that matter has had the due action and it has been conveyed to you. I think I have actually done something with it. It may not have made its way to you—my apologies for that.
Point of order.
💬 SPEAKER: A new point of order?
A new point of order—thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to seek clarification from you regarding the decision you just made. When you are—
💬 SPEAKER: Well, that’s not a new point of order.
No, no—the point of order is around the interaction between Standing Orders 92, 94, and 90. The suspension of a member is under Standing Order 92—
No, sorry, the member will resume his seat. The matter is dealt with.
🗣️ Spoke in this debate (3)
- Hon Gerry Brownlee (New Zealand National Party — List Member)
- Ricardo Menéndez March (Green Party of Aotearoa / New Zealand — List Member)
- Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan (Green Party of Aotearoa / New Zealand — List Member)