“It is unbelievable that Graham Kelly won’t stand aside as Chair of the Accident and Employment select committee while accusations of serious breaches of standing orders are considered,” Opposition Industrial Relations Spokesperson Max Bradford said today.

”Serious questions have been raised about his ability to remain in the Chair, following his actions at union meetings in the Wellington region.”

Mr Kelly has refused to deny that he told unions he would arrange for the union submissions to be heard during the daytime when the media is there, and those anti-bill would be heard at night.

“He has been asked to step aside as head of the committee until the issues are resolved to the committee’s satisfaction, but refuses to.

“He can voluntarily step aside. That’s what happens at Golf club committees around the country – why can’t it happen in this select committee?

“Two of his colleagues have done the exact same thing in the past few weeks; John Tamihere who stood aside as Chair of the Maori Affairs select committee while it considered a matter involving him, and the Speaker stood aside this week when the House considered the MMP review.”

The select committee meets again tonight at 5pm.

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