Ele Ludemann: Postponing debate smart move

Yesterday’s debate on the Privileges Committee’s recommendation to suspend three Te Pāti Māori MPs was going to be protracted and ultimately pointless.

TPM and the Green Party planned to filibuster and while Labour said it wouldn’t follow their example, it was unlikely to support the motion.

There would never be a good time for this waste of time and taxpayers’ money and it would have been worse in Budget week.

Thanks to Leader of the House Chris Bishop the debate has been postponed.

He made it clear that this move was deferring the vote not changing the punishment.

“The actions that led to these punishments were unprecedented in their disrespect for Parliament and the taxpayers to whom we are accountable,” says Mr Bishop.

“Our position on the recommended punishments remains unchanged.

“It is critical that there are consequences for wrongdoing in Parliament. Te Pati Māori’s co-leaders have never accepted what they did was wrong. They have never apologised despite many opportunities, and it is not clear they even accept the jurisdiction of the Privileges Committee. They have never turned up to explain themselves despite numerous opportunities.

“The Budget is the central Parliamentary event of the year, which gives the House the chance to debate and then either endorse or reject the Government’s spending plans. Constitutionally, there is nothing more important than the Budget process which gives the House the opportunity to express confidence in the Government.

“Deferring consideration of the debate means all members will have the opportunity to debate and vote on the Budget. . .

This is showing a lot more respect for TPM than its MPs have shown for parliament in general and the Privileges Committee in particular.

Committee chair Judith Collins’ speech explaining the grounds for the recommendation is here.

Contrary to a lot of commentary, including from journalists who ought to know better, the MPs are not being sanctioned for doing the haka. The sanction is because they did it without the Speaker’s permission, that they did it in the face of government MPs, and what they have done – and not done – since.

That includes not appearing before the Committee and challenging its right to discipline them. This is a direct challenge to parliament’s right to rule itself.

Postponing the debate was a smart move, giving clear air for the Budget debate and news about it.

It could also give time for the MPs to admit what they did wrong and show contrition; and for Labour to stand up for parliament’s rules rather than the rule breakers.

But anyone putting money on that should also keep their eyes out for flying pigs.

Ele Ludemann is a North Otago farmer and journalist, who blogs HERE - where this article was sourced.