Squabble stifles debate on Iraq

By FRANCESCA MOLD

A tit-for-tat row between the Government's political ally, United Future, and the Opposition yesterday resulted in MPs being denied the opportunity to debate the Iraq situation.

National has been trying to get a debate for weeks. It has written letters to Parliament's Speaker, sought leave from MPs and tried to get it approved through Parliament's multi-party business committee.

But yesterday National surprised everyone by objecting to a call from United Future leader Peter Dunne for a two-hour debate on the subject.

Its reason seemed fair, that it would have eaten up the only time it gets every fortnight to debate private members' bills.

Shadow leader of the House Gerry Brownlee said such a critical debate should take place in the Government's time and criticised the Government for shutting down two attempts to hold a debate on Tuesday.

But the Government made the equally valid point that it did not want to waste valuable time that could be used to push through important legislation.

United Future used yesterday's stalemate to launch an attack on National.

Mr Dunne said it was clear National was more interested in scoring minor political points than the imminent war.

He said the war was much more important than the members' bills on the order paper to be discussed last night, including proposed changes to holiday legislation, redundancy payments and the National Certificate for Economic Achievement.

But Mr Brownlee said it was not common sense for Mr Dunne to accuse National of silencing discussion when it was his "Labour mates" who had repeatedly denied MPs the chance of a debate.

United Future had done its image as a "Labour lap-dog" no favours after launching an unproved attack on National, he said.

Mr Dunne said National should look at the bigger picture for once and worry about something other than petty internal squabbles.

"They may call us Government lackeys, but we have never opposed any motion for a debate … and nor will we in the future."