Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the National Party will not make any concessions on the Privileges Committee’s recommendation to suspend three Te Pāti Māori MPs from Parliament.
Last week, the Privileges Committee recommended the suspensions of co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke in the wake of a haka that was performed during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year.
A 21-day suspension was recommended for Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer, while a seven-day suspension was recommended for Maipi-Clarke.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee later told the House the decision was “unprecedented”, and that no member of Parliament has been suspended for more than three days since it first sat in 1854.
The recommendation is set to be voted on by MPs tomorrow, with the majority expected to vote in favour.
Luxon rejects claims of ‘racism’
Speaking today at a post-Cabinet press conference, Luxon spoke in favour of the Privileges Committee’s recommendation.
“We have a Privileges Committee that’s empowered to make those decisions and to determine what’s the appropriate punishment.
“The issue here is not about haka and waiata, as I keep seeing reported – the issue here is about parties not following the rules of Parliament.”
He said for democracy to work, there needs to be “rules in this place”, otherwise it “devolves into absolute chaos”.
When asked if the committee’s decision was racist, Luxon said, “I reject that outright”.
“The Privileges Committee comprises of senior representatives of all political parties in Parliament. They made a determination and that’s up to them.”
A Budget distraction?
Finance Minister Nicola Willis suggested using the issue as a distraction would be going against the interests of the majority of Kiwis.
“I think New Zealanders are sick of the circus in Parliament”.
“They want to see their Members of Parliament focussed on the issues that matter to them, which fundamentally are around the cost of living, their health services, their education services, the future of the New Zealand economy.
“I think any party that chooses to have a chaotic distraction from that, will pretty quickly find themselves out of line with everyday Kiwis who just want to see MPs serving them.”
Luxon, who was asked if he was worried about the debate dragging on, said Kiwis “want us focussed on them”.
“That’s what I’m doing, that’s what Nicola is doing. That’s why we’re focussed on a Budget that is actually about growing the economy and supporting Kiwis.”
He said using the debate as a distraction was up to the opposition.
“Frankly, if they want to muck around, then so be it.”