Thursday, 7 September 2006

Dunne slams Parliamentary misbehaviour

United Future leader Peter Dunne says Labour's and National's behaviour in Parliament in recent days has been shameful and disgraceful.

"The constant barracking from both sides during Question Time, the personal attacks and threats, and the general nastiness go far beyond the accepted norms of robust debate.

"While the Field affair and the election funding row have escalated tensions, they do not justify the descent to political barbarism we are now witnessing," he says.

Mr Dunne is calling on both Labour and National to pull back "from the brink they are both now rapidly heading towards."

"National may think it is doing well by disrupting Question Time by braying and barracking, and Labour may think it is effectively countering these tactics by threats to dish up the dirt on National, but in reality all both are doing is contributing further to the decline of the reputation and standing of Parliament.

"Both now have an equal responsibility to stop the nonsense, temper their mindless attacks on each other, and focus on the real issues affecting people's daily lives," says Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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