Justice

A serious high point in question time

By Ant / 1 August 2008

Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Because the member decided to descend
to that level, I will tell the House what is not being honest
and transparent—anywhere in the world, in fact. At a recent
parliamentary function, an MP pretended that a woman friend was
his new girlfriend, introduced her to the press gallery as such,
and also introduced that same person in a Koru lounge as such,
when he knew, demonstrably and palpably, that that information
was not correct.

Hon Members: Who’s your girlfriend, Rodney!

Rodney Hide: Madam Speaker—[Interruption] Point of order, Madam
Speaker.

Madam SPEAKER: Point of order, Rodney Hide.

Rodney Hide: It was not you, Madam Speaker!

Madam SPEAKER: That comment was uncalled for; everyone knows
I have taste and style.

Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker.
I am, after all, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I have
just explained a very foreign affair that is going on right under
the nose of the press gallery—

Madam SPEAKER: That is not sensible. Look, we are coming close
to bringing this House into disrepute, so would members please
calm down.

Rodney Hide: Point of order—

Madam SPEAKER: If it is not a point of order, the member will
have a very short stay in this House.

Rodney Hide: I think I might sit down at this juncture, Madam
Speaker.

Madam SPEAKER: Right!