Opposition M.P. expelled

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 2

Opposition M.P. expelled

PA Wellington An Opposition member of Parliament was expelled from a select committee meeting after threatening to “knock the head off” the cjommittee’s chairmajn, Parliament was told yesterday. 1 I

The chairman of the Planning and Development Select Committee. 'Mr Ken Shirley I (Lab;, : Jasman) said he had been : forced to expel Mr Merv Wellington ; (Nat., I Papakura) from the committee : after-, persistent abuse of the- chair. Mr Shirley was ■ speak- ; ing during the; reporting back of the select committee’s consideration of I the Ministry! of Works and Development Abolition Bill.. , v. Opposition speakers said the select committee incident — which ! occurred on Tuesday evening — was brought about j by the Government’s - determination to' rush 'the bill through. ! “The chairman [ was a ! disgrace, he was obviously : under strict instructions to rush the bill through,” an i Opposition committee member, Mr Roger •McClay (V/aikaremoana), told. Parliament. . ! Only- three weeks notice .had been given for sub-: 'missions- 21 submissions had not been heard and 'committee members had riot been given the opportunity of consultation with their caucus, he said.

But a | Government member, Mr Harry Duynhoven .(New Plymouth) said Mr Wellington had, at one point, told Mr Shirley: “I’ll knock! your head off, sonny.” “The behaviour was appalling,” Mr: Duynhoven told [Parliament. [■ “If I had children who behaved like this I would seek: mental help for them.” : The Government Junior Whip, Mr Trevor Mallard (Hamilton West) said he had been told; Mr Wellington [ had abused ; people throughout! the meeting, made sexist remarks and had [said to the chair: “I refuse to recognise you.” A li I - Government commmittee. member, Ms Liz Jennet (Island Bay), said that as a first-term member, and temporary member of the committee, she had been appalled by Mr Wellington’s behaviour, and ; accused the i Opposition ; of using deliberate ! stonewalling tactics. . [ Mr Wellington told the House the bill consisted of 360 clauses, 98 pages and affected: 20 other pieces of legislation.' The 'committee had

been called together 10 days ago, and told to report /back in less than two days.

“They want it (the bill) forgotten about because' it destroys jobs,” he said.' “That is why the Opposition was determined Ito oppose I the measure, tje-, cause it affects so many other pieces of legislation we oppose the content and the method in which it was handled.” Mr Wellington said the Commissioner of Works had told the committee that of; the department’s total establishment of 852, there vyere 163 vacancies from resignation, 436 staff were transferring, and |of the 253! left, more half were reported as unplaced.! i Mr.McClay said the Opposition members had [no opportunity to read the submissions on the table, were denied by the chairman the opportunity to go to their caucus and consult their colleagues. He said .21 submissions had been been 1 considered by the department or the committee and the department was not given an opportunity to make written [submissions.