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Goldsmith: National doing it's best with Speaker's system

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 24 Feb 2021, 6:38PM
Paul Goldsmith. (Photo / NZ Herald)
Paul Goldsmith. (Photo / NZ Herald)

Goldsmith: National doing it's best with Speaker's system

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 24 Feb 2021, 6:38PM

Another week, another tiff between a National MP and Parliament's Speaker.

During Question Time, Paul Goldsmith argued with Trevor Mallard who wasn't allowing the MP to continue his line of questioning.

Mallard told Parliament it was time to move on, before Goldsmith stood up and stormed out.

Fellow National MP Simon Bridges also left the chamber, and called Mallard a twat on the way out. 

Mallard is unruffled by the latest spat between him and the Opposition. 

"I don't react to Mr Bridges, to Mr Bennett, Mr Brownlee, Mr Bishop, or to any of the things they've done recently in the House."

Speaking to Heather du Plessis-Allan, Goldsmith says it's not his style to put labels on the Speaker.

He says he didn't hear fellow MP Simon Bridges call Trevor Mallard a twat - after a spat between Goldsmith and Trevor Mallard in the House.

Goldsmith says he has absolute respect for the office of the Speaker - and all he wants to do is get some clear answers out of Ministers during Question Time.

He says National does its best.

"But it's a pretty robust environment, and when you're cut off and you're not able to ask questions because you've broken some little rule, then you're held back."

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