Matter of Privilege: Robson on Politics

Matter of Privilege: Robson on Politics
Hone Harawira; Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau
Wednesday 14 February 2007

Madam Speaker, it seems we’re here to consider a question of privilege – a matter of contempt committed by Hon Matt Robson against the honourable Peter Dunne, for alleging that “the liquor industry’s support for Peter Dunne, as with that of tobacco, has always meant that he has faithfully delivered for their interests.”

And today the Privileges Committee has recommended that Matt Robson apologise to the House, and to Mr Dunne, for his remarks.

But the real offence is the issue of alcohol and tobacco sponsorship and its impact on the health of our nation, and whether or not we’re serious about dealing with the damning and destructive effects of alcohol and tobacco abuse.

Because if we are, then we must accept that effective control will mean breaking the power of the tobacco industry, going cold-turkey on their filthy tax-dollars, and having the courage to stand up to those whose products kill by design.

And let me take this, my first opportunity to stand in the House this year, to put on record my congratulations to my obnoxious relation, Tau Henare, his beautiful wife, and the equally fabulous Paula Bennett for taking up the challenge to stop smoking, and for successfully kicking the habit.

I hope that the rest of the smokers in the House will take up the challenge to provide leadership in the fight against tobacco addiction and tobacco death, because ours is not only the role of passing legislation, it is also the role of leadership by action.

Madam Speaker, the impact of the alcohol and tobacco industry on Parliament has already been well documented by sources other than Robson-on-Line, and I refer to an article on the ASH website which included a statement in 2001, from the Prime Minister no less, noting that Mr Dunne ‘had consistently picked up issues in support of the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries.’

And it’s not just Mr Dunne that cops the flak over his links to the tobacco industry either.

Last year, National’s Associate Health Spokesman, Jonathan Coleman, got his nose punched for being a dick with a cigar while dancing the light fantastic with British American Tobacco at the U2 concert.

And government is even worse. In December 2005 we learnt that all 5 Crown Financial Institutions in Aotearoa, invested in tobacco companies.

- New Zealand Superannuation Fund

- The Government Superannuation Fund

- The National Provident Fund

- The Accident Compensation Corporation

- The Earthquake Commission.

How sad is that. Here we have a government wringing its hands about tobacco illnesses, insisting on signs in shops saying smoking kills, putting horrific pictures on cigarette packets, and hello, they’re propping up the industry that’s killing us all.

Note to the Minister – “dear Damian, did you know that this is the only product, that when used exactly according to the instructions, will kill you?”

Note to the Prime Minister – “dear Helen, did you know you were investing taxpayer dollars in companies which kill nearly 5,000 Kiwis every year?”

And note to the Minister of Maori Affairs – “hey Parekura, did you know smoking kills more Maori than anything else - and that your government is paying for it?”

Ministers talk about a commitment to being smokefree, and government has signed up to the international Convention on Tobacco Control, but how do you reduce harm when you are investing in the product that’s doing the harm?

Excuse me if all the rhetoric sounds like smoke and mirrors - the talk just don’t match the walk.

And it’s because of all the doubletalk, the duplicity and the deceit, that last year I launched a campaign to stamp out the manufacture and sale of tobacco in Aotearoa – TOA - Tobacco Out Of Aotearoa.

My target is the ‘tobacco industry’ not the victims.

I want government to make the tobacco companies the target as well, and I note a comment from the Associate Minister of Health Damian O’Connor, when he said last year that he was “aware of the contentious issue of Governments taking tax or duty from tobacco. It is one of the dilemmas that we continue to work through”.

Well today’s a great day to start to resolve that dilemma.

Last year, Smokefree Coalition Director Mark Peck said: “Government must show leadership on ethical investing and refuse to profiteer from addiction, disease and death”.

This year, Dalton Kelly of the Cancer Society is calling for tobacco to be taken off the counters – out of sight, out of mind.

And today I’m announcing that when MaryAnn Street’s Ethical Investments Bill to make Crown Financial institutions take social and environmental considerations into account comes before the House, the Maori Party will be introducing an SOP to stop Crown investment in tobacco companies.

And I make this offer to MaryAnn or to anyone else from government; if you want to change the Bill to stop that tobacco investment and steal my thunder, go ahead; if you want to be bold, visionary, and caring, and signal your freedom from tobacco companies and their filthy tax dollars, then way you go, ‘cause this isn’t about Hone Harawira and the mighty Maori Party, it’s about what’s good for the nation.

The matter of the influence of the tobacco and alcohol industries on politicians in Aotearoa is what brought this matter of contempt to the House, and the Privileges committee has determined that Matt Robson, and the general public, show respect for the sanctity of parliament.

Madam Speaker, I respectfully wish to add that that respect would be greatly enhanced if the matter at the very heart of this debate – the influence of tobacco money on government decision-making – was dealt with once, and for all.

The Maori Party supports the call for respect for the institution of parliament and the integrity of it’s members, but we also applaud Matt Robson for his passion in trying to highlight the undue influence of industries which have destroyed so may of our communities, and killed so many of our people.

And as for privilege, I will consider it a privilege to one day be able to stand with all others in this House when we finally ban these companies of death from the shores of Aotearoa.

ENDS