Last Tuesday, Labour MPs walked out in disgust at the way our Prime Minister, John Key, labelled genuine concerns about the human rights abuses being meted out to NZ citizens on Christmas Island detention camps as ‘backing rapists’. Then on Wednesday Green and Labour MPs walked out or were thrown out by the Speaker after demanding an apology because as survivors of sexual assault, or as advocates for those abused, they were deeply offended by the Prime Minister’s slur.
We asked the MPs why they walked out.
TUESDAY WALKOUT:
“A walkout was necessary because John Key’s disgraceful diversionary tactic crossed a line. Not only was it offensive it diminished the impact of sexual violence. The Speaker’s actions in failing to get him to apologise made it so much worse.”
Grant Robertson
“For me it was pretty simple – as opposition we rightly asked the Prime Minister questions around the deportation of people, who are for all intents and purposes, Australians. His response was to claim that we were ‘backing rapists.’ It was in a word, appalling. To then have so many female MPs share their personal offence, and personal experiences, only to have the Prime Minister stand by his statement – well I was speechless. And continue to be.”
Jacinda Ardern
“John Key was both offensive and wrong in saying Labour supports rapists – when there were no Kiwis of that nature in detention on Christmas Island. National has failed to uphold international human rights for New Zealand citizens in offshore detention. MPs should also be entitled to expect the proper protection of the House in such matters. The House has fallen into deep disorder as a result.”.
David Cunliffe
WEDNESDAY WALKOUT:
“When the Prime Minister accused us of ‘backing rapists” as a political tool to distract NZers from human rights abuses against NZ citizens, someone had to hold him to account. The Speaker refused to. So the women MPs held the Prime Minister to account instead. We confronted him (and others who think using rape as a political tool is ok) with the reality – that they are talking to people who have survived sexual violence and who represent other survivors. We will not allow his dirty political manipulations to undermine the real issue of human rights. We will show leadership in New Zealand.”
Metiria Turei
“Because rape is serious and not a sensational slur to use to try and sidestep your own huge failings. We made a collective stand on behalf of decent people everywhere.”
Marama Davidson
“It was necessary to take a stand against the abusive comments of the PM on behalf of women and all survivors of sexual assault. Human rights have to be defended for detainees and for all other people. if MPs won’t stand up who will?”
Catherine Delahunty
As far as I’m concerned, this is principled politics at it’s finest. The courage for MPs to stand and be so open and honest and vulnerable in their explanations as to why they were offended and the judgement to walk out when the debate was lowered by such gutter tactics is real leadership.
It would be wrong to have the ISIS barbarity in Paris or the death of a great sporting legend remove this episode from the debate. To not step back and appreciate and explore the kind of character put on display last week would be a disservice to the integrity shown by our MPs.
And I hope when FJK returns to Parliament, Opposition continue to hold him to account for his insulting and offensive statements, demanding his apology.
FJK’s non compliance in apologizing here for causing offence, is now equally as bad, perhaps worse, than his original comments were.
The Speaker needs to be sacked for his obvious bias, favouring NatzKEY! Shameful behaviour on his part for not insisting FJK apologize for his out of order comments in the first place!
FJK and Carter between them, have brought the highest court in the land Parliament, into disrepute!
And where is our vice regal representative, the Governor General in all this. Surely he should be calling to account the Speaker, if not FJK as well, for causing disgrace to the House of Representatives?
The guy does not have any class or compassion.
Yes sure Mary because as we know John Key has been held to account.(!!Never).
This is utter BS as who cares about politicos using the human rights violations to promote themselves have a pointless snit where they get the limelight off the victims of aus & the legal system failures just got their speak writers bla bla etc etc.
Compassion and understanding is indeed lacking and self interest reigns in parliament where doing the needless is normalized.
It was a dick move going around calling people rapist lovers
Thanks to all the MPs who responded and gave us a sense of their insights and their level of integrity and commitment to justice. You walking out is admired and wish more had the guts.
This is the kind of backbone we need more of in parliament and our speaker of the house leaves so SO much more to desire, we deserve better.
Thanks Martyn ! This is the kind of excellent and informative journalism we need more of. It shows ethics we are lacking in the media.
slurp slurp.
Pointless dramas by overpaid self servers.
The whole bunch of them with their nice speech writers words (Lies).
Sold any peoples assets or nations recently.
You need a napkin, you’re drooling
David Cunliffe’s answer the best imo
“John Key was both offensive and wrong in saying Labour supports rapists – when there were no Kiwis of that nature in detention on Christmas Island.
National has failed to uphold international human rights for New Zealand citizens in offshore detention.
MPs should also be entitled to expect the proper protection of the House in such matters. The House has fallen into deep disorder as a result.”
John Key NEVER answers the questions put to him by the opposition, because it would show his Party to be a fraud. The fact that he threw in some bully boy insults doesn’t surprise me.
I still question that if, after watching parliamentary TV, one could still vote for National, then what particular part of their behaviour would encourage this…? As a voter I believe we should ALL WALKOUT ON THEM!
I’d be very interested in what the women, other than boag, of the National Party thought of the whole affair.
Thank you for this.
It is also important to step back and appreciate and explore the kind of behaviour and rationality of the Speaker. His ruling this afternoon showed there is plenty worthy of exploration.
Has there been any brand new MP who is as prepared to get amongst it as Marama Davidson? Great questions from her in the house and I look forward to her contributions in holding the nats to account.
Yes Steve, Marama is a firecracker isn’t she? The makings of a great MP there. Certainly puts a few sparks in the House 🙂
Now they have had a taste of what she’s like, I bet NatzKEY is beginning to find some dirt to smear on Marama right now!
Things maybe be changing to put Key on wrong side of world affairs.
Todays article on Wake up New Zealand gives a brilliant take of the Syrian debacle , Putin is shown in a good light Obama in a bad light.
the article says the OWO has been set back, and Putin has put Obama on notice.
It gives hope that Obama and his puppets have had their day,so maybe Keys parliament and the speaker might change tune before too long.
+100
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