2 weeks Ago By Thomas Coughlan
Ever since then Education Minister Jan Tinetti was marched to the privileges committee over her failure to swiftly correct an answer in Parliament , it’s felt like scarcely a month has gone by without one troubled MP or other following her there. If it does feel like that, it’s because the sentiment is partly true. After Tinetti’s referral in May 2023 came Act ’s Simon Court in June, Labour ’s Michael Wood in July, and National ’s Tim van de Molen in August.
Nine MPs, more than half of all the members of Parliament sent to the privileges committee in the MMP era, were referred in 2023 and 2024, according to figures from the Parliamentary Library. MPs tend to be referred to the privileges committee if a Speaker believes they may have breached the rules of Parliament, breaching privilege. The privileges committee doesn’t always agree.
Michael Wood was partly exonerated by the committee in 2023 after he was referred over declaring his Auckland Airport shares (the report found he should have done a better job of declaring them, but stated the rules were unclear so his transgression did not amount to contempt). In total, 16 MPs have found themselves sent to the privileges committee in the MMP era. Some Parliaments appear naughtier than others.
The current Parliament has had five referrals to the committee, most of which relate to the recent Parliament haka..
