Sharma uses Speaker’s election to further criticise Mallard
WELLINGTON: Newly independent MP Gaurav Sharma has used the election of the new Speaker to level new accusations against outgoing Speaker Trevor Mallard.
After the House rose, a visibly angry Mr Mallard denied the accusations.
Most of the usual parliamentary business of the day was suspended in the afternoon for the election of the new Speaker, Adrian Rurawhe, who was supported in the debating chamber with a waiata from his family members.
Following the music, Mr Sharma rose and — using Parliamentary privilege — accused nowformer Speaker Mallard of ignoring concerns he raised about bullying within Labour.
Parliamentary privilege gives MPs speaking in the debating chamber legal immunity from prosecution from matters such as defamation to ensure members are not limited too much in having a robust debate.
Mr Sharma was removed from Labour’s caucus on Tuesday for repeated breaches of caucus confidentiality and bringing the party into disrepute.
Rising in the House yesterday afternoon, he praised the words of Mr Rurawhe.
‘‘It was really refreshing to hear about fairness, about bringing value to the House, and changing some of the issues that are present in the House. It almost seems like you should be an independent rather than aligned to any side.’’
He told the gathered MPs he acknowledged the outgoing Speaker, who had previously held the Hamilton West seat Mr Sharma now holds, before launching into his accusations.
‘‘Two weeks ago, I contacted the . . . former Speaker and I went to talk to him about some of the issues I was having and whether I could get legal support in my case.
‘‘The Speaker said ‘If you raise anything about a Labour colleague, any challenges, it would be the end of your career’. And then the Speaker ended up going to the whips office, the Labour whips office, right after that to tell them that I had actually laid a complaint against the party and the whips,’’ Mr Sharma said in Parliament.
He was interrupted by Mr Rurawhe who said the matter was not relevant to the debate.
‘‘I encourage the member, I will interrupt him again if he goes off track. This is about the newly elected Speaker.’’
Mr Sharma gave some final comments to say he hoped Mr Rurawhe ‘‘would be a neutral person as a speaker of the House and would show the fairness that you’ve talked about and would listen to members from all sides’’.
‘‘And I just want to congratulate you on your new role as the Speakerelect.’’
Several senior Labour ministers criticised Sharma’s conduct saying yesterday was the day to honour and welcome Mr Rurawhe as the new Speaker. — RNZ