On Wednesday 9 December the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition each delivered points of order regarding unparliamentary comments.
Prime Minister’s Comments – Withdrawal and Apology
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. During question time on 10 November, in response to a supplementary question on question No. 1, I made a comment about the Opposition that caused offence. Subsequently, the matter has been raised several other times in the House. I have reflected on my comments, and, on this, the last sitting day of the year and so close to Christmas, I would like to withdraw and apologise for that response.
Unparliamentary Comments & Reflections on Speaker
ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition): I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. In recent weeks, statements have been made by members on this side of the House about you, which reflected upon you. I wish to draw to the attention of this House that correspondence has gone to the chair of the Privileges Committee today, accepting that those comments were unparliamentary and expressing regret for them—all of which demonstrates that this House is capable of acting, if not in the spirit of Christmas, then in the spirit of the Bloody Red Baron.
