Parties swap shots over time-wasting

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Labour MPs should have been on time at a select committee hearing that was cancelled yesterday, wasting submitters’ time.

And while National MPs could have ensured the hearings took place by simply going back inside the room, they don’t intend to apologise to people whose time was wasted.

The finance and expenditure committee collapsed with Labour and National MPs blaming each other.

National MPs walked out, accusing Labour of failing to get out of bed on time, while Labour says the Nats were being childish by standing outside and refusing to take part.

During the standoff about 15 submitters, some of whom had travelled to Wellington to have their say on the Government’s Budget Policy Statement and the Pike River Recovery Agency, waited outside the meeting room — and were eventually told the meeting had been cancelled.

Under Standing Orders, the meeting cannot occur unless a quorum of at least half the members are present within 10 minutes of the starting time.

Ardern criticised her MPs for not arriving on time at 8am. “I’ve made it very clear this is not acceptable.”

National MP David Carter said if anyone should apologise to submitters, it should be Labour and NZ First MPs. “It’s not the Opposition’s job to maintain quorums.”

He said National MPs had warned the committee they could walk out if Labour members were late.

Leader of the House Chris Hipkins said the whole episode reflected poorly on politicians and Parliament.