Genter ‘working from home’ as complaint laid
Green MP Julie Anne Genter is working from home while a disciplinary process is under way, after she crossed the House to remonstrate with National’s Matt Doocey.
The Speaker, Gerry Brownlee, confirmed in the House yesterday afternoon that a privileges complaint had been made.
Genter didn’t appear at Parliament yesterday morning for a transport select committee she is a member of.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the party was now following a code of conduct process.
“We are making it really clear to her, that behaviour shouldn’t have happened ... We will be making it very clear that this must not happen again, and providing personal and professional support,” Davidson said.
“The process involves setting out expectations of behaviour and making it clear this must not happen again ... what happened in the House last night is not acceptable for any MP, not acceptable for ours, and must not happen again.”
Genter, the MP for Rongotai, apologised in the House on Wednesday night, after she rose from her seat while MPs were debating roading projects.
After striding across the chamber to where Doocey was sitting, Genter waved a booklet in front of his face and yelled, “Read the report”.
The debate’s chairperson, Parliament’s deputy Speaker Barbara Kuriger, then instructed Genter to return to her seat. Senior whip Scott Simpson told the House her actions were intimidating, unparliamentary and unprecedented.
“I have never seen behaviour of that sort in this chamber in my time ... I think it’s a serious matter that warrants an intervention immediately.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Genter’s behaviour was unacceptable, that politicians should remain respectful during debates, and that intimidation was unacceptable.
Doocey, the mental health minister, has not commented.
Davidson said the Green Party would meet with Doocey and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon if they indicated they wanted a meeting.
She had contacted both “to make it clear that this is unacceptable”, but hadn’t heard back.
When asked if Genter had been under any undue pressure, Davidson responded: “Everyone knows that the Greens have had a heck of a rough time.”
Earlier in the week. the House heard a series of tributes for the late Green MP Efeso Collins, who died suddenly earlier this year. And on Wednesday, outgoing co-leader James Shaw gave his valedictory speech in the house.
Meanwhile, an investigation into Green MP Darleen Tana has passed six weeks.