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Peters challenges the Speaker

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Peters challenges the Speaker

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Lockwood Smith and Winston Peters

Lockwood Smith and Winston Peters

By Peter Wilson, NZN Political Writer

NZ First leader Winston Peters is putting up a motion of no confidence in parliament's Speaker Lockwood Smith.

He is retaliating against being ordered out of the debating chamber on Tuesday when he tried to raise a point of order - a question about procedure.

Dr Smith refused to hear his point of order because he had called Prime Minister John Key to speak and there was a row over who had precedence.

"Anyone who saw what happened knows I was blocked from putting a point of order and that's pretty shocking," Mr Peters told NZ Newswire.

"It was just wrong and it can't go unchallenged."

Mr Peters lodged the motion on Wednesday morning and it will go on Parliament's order paper on Thursday.

He doesn't know when it will be put to a vote but doesn't expect that to happen until next week.

If the motion is supported by a majority of MPs, which is extremely unlikely, Dr Smith would have to resign.

Even if all the Opposition parties backed Mr Peters, which they almost certainly won't, the Government would have the numbers to defeat the motion.

NZN

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Comments

20/10/2012 8:44:13 p.m.

Carlos wrote:

Winston Peters = a Jonathan Hunt.

19/10/2012 12:47:46 p.m.

dock his pay wrote:

I think they should dock his pay and give it to a worthwhile charity anytime Peters or anyone for that matter acts l like a small child, the idea of our government system was that decisions will be made using everybodys good ideas and input to reach a decision thats best for the country yep thats working well

19/10/2012 10:52:40 a.m.

DB wrote:

@JACKSON, actually, if you look at it again, the PM didn't call a point of order. He addressed the speaker with "Mr Speaker". That is not a point of order. When Winston then called "point of order", he should have been given precedence but wasn't, hence the issue. And both Mallard and Parker also knew that and were calling "point of order" as well on that point. So stop bashing Winston without knowing the facts. Where are your complaints about Parker? He got kicked out too? And Mallard? Winston didn't just "stand up" because he thought he was more important than the PM, he knows the rules in parliament, and his frustration at the speaker protecting the National front bench came to a head.

18/10/2012 11:51:44 p.m.

cory y. wrote:

this government has no leadership because key is never in the country and its cost us mega bucks .the national government is running around all over the place like a headless choock .the speaker oh the house is biased and out of control.

18/10/2012 10:45:56 p.m.

Jackson wrote:

John Key was raising a point of order, he didn't even say one word before Peters stood up and called a point of order. You can't call a point of order while a point of order is being heard. Key raised his point of order first, his was heard first. If Winston thinks his is more important, well too bad. The speaker followed the standing orders of the House, if Peters doesn't want to follow the rules, he can leave. If Winston actually cared for democratic process he would wait his turn.

18/10/2012 6:20:29 p.m.

eddie wrote:

Heehee, Winston?, really? the seeker of the truth!!...Ohh my, all you lefties have a short memory in the 'truth' stakes, remember the NO card, and the way Clarke kept him (she needed the numbers) and when Owen Glenn proved he had given $100,000 to NZ First in a trust account...lol, a 'Proven' liar seeking the truth, C'mon guys really?...or blinkers on now and 'don't remind us' philosiphy?...looks like it, Well I laugh anyhow, NZ First under 5%, wonder what he'll come out with in mid 2014 to bolster...ummm, asians?

18/10/2012 5:30:21 p.m.

nigel wrote:

You get him Winston, I watched that and I completely agree with you.

18/10/2012 3:46:39 p.m.

Warwick wrote:

Sarah, you are absolutely wrong about that. I am not a supporterof NZ Firstor Winston Peters, but on this point, he is absolutely right. He raised a point of order and that should have taken precedence. It is the Speaker who was throwing a tantrum. It WAS Mr Peters' turn and Lockwood Smith was out of order.

18/10/2012 3:19:12 p.m.

alison wrote:

@ greg, Wouldnt that be great. I too have found that our speaker is prone to lapses in protocol in favour of the national front benches and wonder how long his nice guy image will save him from a growing dissent among politicians. I would like to see one of the politicians be allowed to question our pm in entirity as they always seem to be cut off with never any plausible answer from keys. I dont recall this ever having happened in parliament as this was a chance for questions and the pm when questioned always had an answer. I think this is what makes lockwood smith look like he is sheilding national more than ever.

18/10/2012 2:49:52 p.m.

Keeping your word wrote:

At least Peters stepped down when caught, unlike Key with his rail shares, and Lockwood "I've signed a pledge" to resign if National didn't abolish tertiary fees payable by students- Smith. They're all politicians I wish NZ public would grow a backbone. 120 MP's for 4 Million people- what a joke.