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Parliamentary Walk Out

Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
Member of Parliament for Northland
28 JULY 2015

Parliamentary Walk Out

New Zealand First walked out of Parliament before Question Time today after the Speaker ruled out New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters from being there.

Mr Peters said he had raised a point of order relating to Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley and whether she had made an apology at the first available opportunity as required by Parliament’s rules.

“Last week Mrs Tolley was questioned by New Zealand First MP Darroch Ball about her statements during a television interview about private company Serco and their provision of child protection services. She denied having made those statements even though Mr Ball sought to table a transcript of them, which the Speaker denied leave for him to do so.

“From the moment Mr Ball challenged Minister Tolley’s veracity she and her staff were on notice, yet she did not apologise to Parliament till today. That is not following Standing Orders as the Speaker sought to rule.”

Mr Peters said that was his point of order which the Speaker refused to accept although all chronological logic suggested otherwise.

“On a similar prior occasion involving this Minister answering questions to Mr Ball the Minister again misled the House which led to a breach of Privilege claim to the Speaker.

“Mr Ball had the evidence to back his claim up, but it too was rejected by the Speaker. Part of Parliament’s role is to hold Ministers accountable for their statements and actions. Today’s events won’t change New Zealand First’s commitment to ensuring that these ministers are held to account.”

Mr Peters said he did not regret his removal from the House and thanked his caucus for their support.

ENDS

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