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Deputy Speaker's Ruling Wrong
Deputy Speaker's Ruling Wrong
The Speaker today ruled that Deputy Speaker Ann Hartley was wrong on Thursday to refuse to allow Opposition MPs to debate the Maori Television Bill, ACT New Zealand Leader Richard Prebble said.
"I was suspended for attempting to inform Mrs Hartley that her rulings were wrong and undemocratic. It is bizarre that an MP can be suspended for being correct.
"Two weeks ago ACT MP Rodney Hide was ordered from the House by Deputy Speaker Ann Hartley for objecting to the Labour Government's attempt to pass legislation in the Maori language with no translation. The Associate Speaker over-ruled Mrs Hartley.
"ACT believes that it is extraordinary that our MPs are being suspended from Parliament for upholding Parliament's rules that are designed to allow democratic debate.
"Mrs Hartley - having been overruled - should now resign," Mr Prebble said.
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