Waititi suspended from parliament after Privileges Committee endorsed his comments

Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
photo:

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer assured MPs the party now had a “greater understanding and respect” of parliament’s relationship with the courts.

Parliamentary Privileges Committee Last year, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi appeared to have breached a suppression order in the House of Representatives, and this week the House of Representatives approved former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe’s response.

Rurawhe first considered this question, then Waititi was subsequently named and suspended for 24 hourscalling his behavior extremely disruptive.

The punishment is one of the harshest that can be imposed on a speaker and bans MPs from voting, sitting on committees or entering the debating chamber, and has their salary docked.

Rurawhe also referred the question of how such matters should be handled in the future to the privileges committee for consideration. He noted that it would be difficult to investigate whether Waititi was in contempt of court because the investigation could exacerbate any harm.

Speaking in parliament on Thursday afternoon, committee chairwoman Judith Collins said freedom of speech was one of parliament’s “fundamental rights”, but it came with a responsibility not to interfere with the court’s jurisdiction.

“Comity is generally understood as mutual respect and restraint … and efforts by both departments to preserve the prerogatives of the other,” she said.

“We believe that the approach taken by the Speaker in this case is the most appropriate course of action.”

Ngarewa-Packer then asked to speak and was allowed to do so.

She told MPs Te Pāti Māori recognised the commission’s findings, the “principle of comity” and the “upmost constitutional importance” of the relationship between parliament and the courts.

“We understand the purpose of the injunction,” Ngarewa-Packer said.

“As Te Pāti Māori we also recognise that if the ban is lifted then that would be the appropriate time to talk about this.”

Ngarewa-Packer also used the speech to Speech by Minister Shane Jones He described one judge as a “communist.”

“Given the comments … by politicians calling judges communists, this is probably a good and timely reminder for all of us politicians,” Ngareva-Parker said.