Anything Now Goes In Parliament - Hide

ACT Leader Rodney Hide was today disappointed that Speaker Margaret Wilson had turned down his complaint of privilege against Labour Minister Trevor Mallard for assaulting National MP Tau Henare.

"It is disappointing that Parliament cannot discipline a Member of Parliament who assaults another - it is difficult to imagine what constitutes a breach of privilege if punching an MP in the head does not," Mr Hide said.

"The Speaker's decision to not refer my complaint to the Privileges Committee sends a very poor message throughout New Zealand - where Police, school teachers, sports coaches and

"Parents have been writing to me complaining, and rightly so; they ask how they are supposed to teach their children given the behaviour of a Minister of the Crown and what goes on in Parliament - the institution that is supposed to provide, and demonstrate, law and order for New Zealand.

"In the wake of the Speaker's decision, I will be considering my options for taking this matter further," Mr Hide said.

ENDS

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