Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has been ejected from Parliament after using the c-word.<\/p>\n
NZ First MP Casey Costello alleged the word referred to Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh.<\/p>\n
MPs were debating the Government\u2019s proposed police “move-on orders” for rough sleepers under urgency. <\/p>\n
Ngarewa-Packer admitted to using the word, but told 1News it had been a comment to fellow MP Oriini Kaipara, who had earlier used the word “bullcrap” in a speech.<\/p>\n
Pugh replied: “A reminder, member, that we prefer to keep the language parliamentary.”<\/p>\n
As Greens MP Julie Anne Genter began a speech, Costello raised a point a point of order.<\/p>\n
“As the Speaker gave a direction, the M\u0101ori Party member then used he word \u2013 which I will not use \u2013 that begins with c,” Costello said. <\/p>\n
“The fact that it has been used once in this House does not make it common use. I find it particularly offensive and disrespectful to you, Madam Speaker.”<\/p>\n
Costello said the word had been “directed at you, Madam Speaker”.<\/p>\n
Ngarewa-Packer then raised her own point of order.<\/p>\n
“Three times, the word c*** has been used in this House, by the Government…” Ngarewa-Packer said. “Either that word is offensive or bullcrap is.”<\/p>\n
Pugh repeatedly called for Ngarewa-Packer to sit down.<\/p>\n
“And now I personally find that offensive and Ill ask the member to leave the chamber,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Are you now going to challenge my ruling? I’m not going to entertain a conversation on this, the member will leave the Chamber.”<\/p>\n
Labour’s Willie Jackson was also assisted from the Chamber after raising an objection.<\/p>\n
‘Misrepresented the facts’<\/p>\n
Outside the Chamber, Ngarewa-Packer told 1News she had never called the Speaker the c-word and “I have no need to”.<\/p>\n
Ngarewa-Packer said she was having a conversation with Kaipara while Costello was “overhearing a conversation that wasn’t intended for her”.<\/p>\n
“When she got bailed up for the word ‘bullcrap’, I was actually just making her know that it was not the most un-Parliamentary word that has been said,” she said, adding that that she believed the Speaker had “overreacted” to Kaipara.<\/p>\n
She continued: “I would not call the Speaker that and have no need to.<\/p>\n
“I think Casey [Costello] misrepresented the facts.”<\/p>\n