Parliamentary Debate on Member Conduct and Privileges Committee Referrals

In a recent parliamentary session, significant attention was drawn to the conduct of members within the House and the subsequent referral of four individuals to the Privileges Committee. The debate revolved around whether these referrals should be distinguished based on specific actions taken during an incident involving a haka.

Hon Kieran McAnulty from Labour raised a point of order after the Speaker's response earlier in the session to privileges complaints. He noted that while four members were referred to the Privileges Committee, three approached other members after leaving their seats, whereas one did not leave his seat. McAnulty sought clarification on whether there was a distinction between these actions in the referral process.

The Speaker responded by stating it was not his role to make distinctions regarding member conduct; rather, this responsibility lay with the Privileges Committee. He emphasized that the disorderly aspect involved leaving one's seat during session time to engage in activities on the House floor, which he considered disruptive and warranted investigation by the committee.

Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Leader of the Opposition, further questioned the Speaker about the criteria used for referral. Hipkins highlighted that some members participated in the haka without leaving their seats, seeking clarity on how these distinctions were made. The Speaker reiterated his earlier point, noting that moving from one's seat to conduct activities was viewed as disruptive compared to participating while seated.

In addressing broader concerns, the Speaker mentioned that the issue of haka participation—while not currently disallowed—required evaluation by the Standing Orders Committee regarding its appropriateness within House proceedings. He also commented on the utility of referring multiple members following a narrow vote on naming, suggesting that it might be more productive for members to determine acceptable conduct independently rather than relying solely on committee rulings.

This debate underscores ongoing discussions about maintaining order and decorum in parliamentary settings while respecting cultural expressions like the haka. It highlights the complexities involved in enforcing rules consistently across diverse actions within the House.