Disappointment at Speaker’s ruling on Inquiry

28 July 2009
Media Statement

Disappointment at Speaker’s ruling on facility for banking inquiry

Labour Finance Spokesperson David Cunliffe says he will approach Parliament’s Speaker again following Dr Lockwood Smith’s decision to deny a request from Labour, the Greens and the Progressives to use a room in Parliament to hear public submissions during the multi-party inquiry into banking issues.

“I am disappointed with the decision, which follows earlier decisions this year to deny similar requests for multi-party events on overseas aid policy and youth unemployment,” David Cunliffe said.

David Cunliffe said his second letter to Dr Smith would seek clear guidance on the factors the Speaker took into account.

“In all three cases this year in relation to multi-party events, the Speaker has suggested that one party’s caucus room might be a more appropriate venue. This would be inappropriate for the banking inquiry, as it was for the other two events. Using one party’s caucus room gives the impression that the event involves the internal political process of one party rather than a genuine multi-party process.

“In terms of the banking inquiry, we are seeking a venue that is as neutral as possible for the public, banks and stakeholders to make their cases,” David Cunliffe said.

David Cunliffe said the traditional role of the Speaker was to be impartial and to uphold the role of the Opposition as well as the Government. “Engaging with the public on issues of public importance is a core function for the Opposition as well as the Government. Such engagement is vital to the health of our democracy. The Speaker’s role is to facilitate such engagement.

“A range of functions have been hosted in the complex this year that seem to be more social or personal in nature. In the past I have attended meetings in select committee rooms from groups as diverse as Parliamentarians for Nuclear Disarmament, various parliamentary friendship groups, lobby groups hosting briefing sessions and so forth.

“If the argument holds for select committee rooms, surely it is even more true for areas of common parliamentary space such as the former Legislative Council Chamber or the Beehive foyer.”

ENDS