'Step outside' challenge row during Parliament

Taito Phillip Field

Labour MP Taito Phillip Field was accused of threatening a National MP during a debate in Parliament yesterday.

It came after Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen accused National of "sewer" politics.

National MP Lockwood Smith told Parliament that Mr Field had threatened him.

"A few moments ago during this debate the honourable Taito Phillip Field crossed this chamber and threatened me that I should accompany him outside. To use his exact words he said, 'If I had any balls I would go outside and repeat my question'."

Dr Smith earlier had asked a question about allegations of misuse of the Samoan or Pacific Island immigration quota system.

Mr Field is being investigated over conflict of interest allegations, including that he sought assistance to get a work permit for a Thai overstayer who tiled his house in Samoa.

Dr Smith said he had not mentioned Mr Field.

"I think it is a very serious issue when members of this Parliament are threatened in this chamber by members who seem to have some problem," he said.

Mr Field said he had not used threatening language but had simply meant Dr Smith should repeat his comments outside Parliament where he is not protected from defamation laws.

The Speaker said if Mr Field had been threatening and disorderly he should apologise.

He did so but added: "I invite Dr Lockwood Smith that if he has any question in relation to my integrity ... to say it outside the House."

On Tuesday, several speakers - including Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons - bemoaned the focus on personal politics and mud-slinging after Attorney-General David Parker resigned from all his portfolios over filing false statements to the Companies Office.

Dr Cullen said National had said that this year the economy was going to be the issue yet it had not asked any questions this week about that area.

He outlined improvements for families, students, businesses and superannuitants under Labour that should be discussed.

"Instead, of course, we have the leader of the Act Party [Rodney Hide] swimming around in the sewer and National swimming by the outfall waiting for their faithful dog who is going to bring them something they can chew on.

"Well, I don't share the same taste as the National Party in politics or in anything else."

National deputy leader Gerry Brownlee disputed claims Parliament was heading in an "unsavoury" direction.

"I think those speeches slightly missed the point."

He said it was not muckraking to hold the Government up to scrutiny and look at election spending and behaviour of MPs - from Paintergate through to the speeding motorcade the Prime Minister was involved in.

"They are the matters that have been before this House and they are not the matters that should be easily swept aside," he said.

"I want to say to this House and particularly to the Labour Party, who have had so much to say about these matters, that if they want respect they are going to have to start showing it." 
 

Lockwood Smith
* National MP since 1984. Aged 57.
* PhD in animal science. Former Dairy Board marketing manager. Also a university lecturer and children's television shows host.
* Runs beef farming operation in Northland.
* Former Education Minister.

Taito Phillip Field
* Labour MP since 1993.
* Stood down from ministerial posts last September while immigration claims were investigated.
* Former union official, including nine years with the West Coast branch of the NZ Meat Workers Union.

- NZPA