Time for all political parties to sign up to a Code of Conduct

Tariana Turia, Co-Leader of the Maori Party, has today commented on the physical assault made by a Government Minister against a Member of Parliament.

“As a Parliament, we have spoken frequently about the need to take a strong line on violence” said Mrs Turia. “The Maori Party in particular has spoken about the need for zero tolerance to violence in all its manifestations”.

“The violence that occurred yesterday with the attack from the 'honourable' Trevor Mallard is absolutely intolerable and we expect a strong response from Government” said Mrs Turia.

“This is not the first time that Mr Mallard has been found guilty of such an offence” said Mrs Turia. “Less than a year ago, he was accused of whacking National MP Bob Clarkson around the ears, and then the next day laughing it off, telling him he should stop ‘squealing like a baby’”.

“We remember too that this ‘Minister for the Rugby World Cup’ once laid the threat of wanting to ‘jam a Heineken bottle up the rear end of an International Rugby Board Official”.

“We must not, on one hand, dismiss behaviour as merely ‘bullyboy tactics’ or ‘larrikin tomfoolery’ while on the other hand spending millions on a PR campaign to send a message that violence is unacceptable”.

“It is not okay - and the sooner the Government – and the National Party – sign up to a Code of Conduct which encourages Members of Parliament to act with dignity, with respect and with honour, the sooner we will be able to restore peace and order to Parliament.