Another breach of privilege alleged

Press, 7 August 1976, Page 4

Another breach of privilege alleged

PA Wellington A complaint of committing a breach of privilege was made in Parliament yesterday morning against Mr M. J. Minogue (Nat., Hamilton West). The complaint was made by Dr A. M. Finlay (Lab., Henderson) and involved an interview given by Mr Minogue as chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on road safety. In the interview, published yesterday morning, Mr Minogue said that the committee hoped to recommend to Parliament during the next 12 months that too much alcohol in the breath should be an offence under the Transport Act. Dr Finlay referred to Parliament’s rules and said these provided for the proceedings of committees to be strictly confidential until a report was presented to the House.

Dr Finlay said he raised the complaint "reluctantly,” but in view of the strict interpretations put on the rules

recently thought the matter should be raised. He asked the acting Speaker, Mr J. R. Harrison (Nat., Hawke’s Ba) 7 ) to find that a prima facie case of breach of privilege against Mr Minogue had been made out. The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) said it was a pity that Mr Minogue was not in the House. Dr Finlay: I don’t know where he is . . . Mr Muldoon: And don’t very much care. Opposition voices: Come out of the gutter. Mr Muldoon said he was concerned that Mr Minogue should have an opportunity to comment, and he would have thought Dr Finlay, as the former Attorney-General, would be also. Having read the newspaper concerned, there did seem to be a prima facie case for Mr Minogue to answer, Mr Muldoon said. But he would like Mr Minogue to have a chance to answer the complaint. Mr Minogue was flying from Hamilton to Wellington.

Dr Finlay said he had waited some time for Mr Minogue to appear in the House before raising the complaint. At 12.45 p.m., Mr Muldoon told Parliament that it was unlikely that Mr Minogue would be able to reach Wellington that day. As a result, the Speaker (Sir Roy Jack) ruled that the matter be deferred until Tuesday. Parliament’s privileges Committee will meet at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday to consider alleged breaches of privilege against the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling), the Under-Secretary for Trade and Industry (Mr K. R. Allen) and a Labour front-bencher, Mr C. J. Moyle (Mangere). The committee will hear all three cases in turn, which may cause difficulties, as Mr Muldoon will leave for Invercargill at 10 a.m. and will leave Parliament at 9.40 a.m.

Mr Rowling’s place on the Privileges Committee has been taken by the Opposition spokesman on justice, Dr Finlay.