Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly has altered his answer on whether he had drunk alcohol on the day he called a worker a loser, saying he had a wine tasting at the end of the day and after the exchange with the worker.
Bayly stood in Parliament just before 10pm last night to correct his answer to Arena Williams’ earlier questions on whether he had been drinking on his visits to a brewery and winery that day.
Bayly said that he had not had a drink prior to the exchange with the worker, but took part in a “small wine tasting” at the end of day after the incident.
Earlier, Bayly fronted media at Parliament on Tuesday afternoon to answer questions about a complaint made against him. He was alleged to have sworn at, ridiculed and mocked a worker during a business visit earlier this month. That included the allegation Bayly told the worker to “take some wine ... and f*** off”, repetitively called the man a “loser”, and had been drinking.
Since revelations of the complaint last Friday, Bayly has repeatedly apologised. He has said he believed he was acting in a light-hearted manner but understood he had offended the worker.
Asked by the Herald on Tuesday whether there was anything in the complaint letter that he disputed, Bayly said he didn’t believe he swore and he wasn’t drunk at the time. He said that was the extent of what he disputed.
“The general tenor of the letter was correct. I got it wrong and I have apologised unreservedly to the person,” the minister said.
He later confirmed in Parliament he had called the worker a “loser” and used the L sign. Bayly also said he hadn’t drunk at a beer garden visit prior to going to the business in question.
It wasn’t until the complaint letter came through that he realised he had done something wrong, Bayly told media.
“I am not the type of person that walks around trying to say horrible things to people.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon earlier confirmed his office had contacted the complainant and offered to discuss the matter with National’s chief of staff Cameron Burrows, which was in addition to Bayly’s earlier offer to speak directly with the complainant.
Bayly said if he was able to speak with the man he would “say that I unreservedly apologise, that I was wrong, and I am very sorry for the distress it’s caused him”.
Luxon said on Friday that Bayly’s behaviour was disappointing, and he had been given assurances from the minister that it wouldn’t happen again. He didn’t hand down any punishment.
He maintained on Tuesday that he believed Bayly had “genuinely” acknowledged what he had done wrong and he hadn’t disputed much of the complaint in conversations with him.
“He may have argued some of the tone, but it didn’t really matter, frankly. He also acknowledged that. He wasn’t defending it with me at all.”
Bayly said he was still “very passionate about this portfolio” and was “very keen” to continue in it.
The Port Waikato MP said he didn’t believe any other similar incidents would be raised.
“I have been an MP for 10 years, I have been a strong advocate for my constituents. Probably not everyone has agreed with my position, but I am confident in my conduct.”
He did not want to comment on whether there was any political motive behind the complaint. He was “devastated” by what happened, was remorseful, and was concerned about the damage to the individual. Bayly said it was the lowest point of his career “by a long way”.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins used today’s Question Time to interrogate Luxon about his response to Bayly’s actions.
Hipkins managed to extract from Luxon a confirmation that he believed Bayly had not been “impacted by alcohol” during his ministerial visit.
The Opposition leader then questioned Luxon as to whether Bayly visited a brewery immediately before the event where the incident occurred. Luxon said he was not aware of that.
Throughout his answers, Luxon reiterated his position that Bayly had accepted his behaviour was not acceptable and acknowledged it could not occur again.
Bayly, sitting in the back row of seats, didn’t show any emotion or reaction throughout Hipkins’ questioning of Luxon, aside from sipping at his water.
The Prime Minister has accused Labour of being “conspiratorial” by asking questions about how an email complaint against Andrew Bayly disappeared from their inbox after being read.
Hipkins yesterday told media he had written to the Speaker after the complainant’s email to deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni was read and flagged by a staff member, but then disappeared. Parliament’s IT department told the political party it had been withdrawn after being marked as spam.
“I have contacted the Speaker [Gerry Brownlee] because ultimately it draws into question exactly how an email can be received and withdrawn again,” Hipkins said at the time.
Luxon on Tuesday morning said his office had looked into the issue and claimed Labour was being “conspiratorial”.
“I have no idea what they are talking about, we’ve got no reference for that, no understanding of that,” Luxon said.
Hipkins said he was yet to hear back from the Speaker but denied being conspiratorial.
“We just outlined the facts because we were being asked by media why we hadn’t shared what we knew. The reason we didn’t share [the complaint] was because we couldn’t find it.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Hipkins said there were “still massive questions” for Luxon about why Bayly didn’t get a punishment despite the allegations.
“I think this kind of behaviour clearly deserves some form of sanction, whether it is the removal of a portfolio or removal of portfolios altogether. Simply saying to someone, that wasn’t very good, isn’t really a particularly strong signal.”
He said apologies appeared “disingenuous” if the one apologising said they didn’t agree with all the facts being put forward by the complainant.
National ministers and MPs believed Bayly had taken responsibility
Simeon Brown said Bayly had apologised and was “full of remorse”. Simon Watts said he knew Bayly well but would not comment on his behaviour, saying that was for Bayly to do.
Judith Collins said Bayly was a “really good person”.
“He’s just horrified that his attempt at humour has so misfired.”
She said it was for the PM to deal with “but obviously Andrew is mortified at the result”.
Paul Goldsmith said he was surprised by Bayly’s comments but it was a matter for him and the Prime Minister. Mark Mitchell said he felt Bayly had taken the right approach in apologising.
Labour’s MPs weren’t impressed, however.
Rachel Boyack: “I just think it is inappropriate to call a worker a loser and to use the L sign and I think there are more questions to be asked in terms of what process he followed afterwards in terms of informing the Prime Minister and why has he not had stronger action taken against him.”
Helen White said she “hated” when people used the word “loser”.
“I think it is very disrespectful ... we are all actually one people, gosh this Government goes on about that a bit, but to treat people as if they are less, it’s just wrong. It’s absolutely wrong to do that.”
She said workers are “often heroes”.
“I think we just need to remember our supermarket workers in Covid, to remember that you don’t have to be earning a lot of money to be doing good in this country. Our nurses, are they losers?”
Ingrid Leary said Luxon had shown “weak leadership” and not up to the standard he had expected of Labour when it was in government. She had been “gutted” for the worker.
Ayesha Verall called it “totally inappropriate conduct” and he should be demoted. Kieran McAnulty said the public was “not impressed” and it was “pretty rough” to call someone a loser.
Willie Jackson said it was “par for the course for National Party people”.
“It seems like ‘born to rule’ attitude. I am really disappointed with him. No worker deserves to be treated like that.”
Jamie Ensor is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team based at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub Press Gallery office.
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