Testosterone overflowing in rumpus over T-shirt

By FRANCESCA MOLD political statement

It was probably the biggest buzz Opposition MPs have had in a long time.

A large white and black bullseye adorning the rather ample bosom of Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard drew more than a bit of attention from the male MPs sitting opposite her in Parliament yesterday.

The minister was just doing her best to promote New Zealand Music Month by wearing the emblem on her chest. But the sight of the snug turquoise and white T-shirt stretching across her full bust instead drew shocked gasps, hoots of laughter, allegations of sexism and calls for her to "take it off".

National MP Gerry Brownlee questioned how Ms Tizard's T-shirt met Parliament's dress code as Labour had objected to a shirt worn a few weeks ago by Green MP Keith Locke protesting against the Iraq war. "I wonder, sir, if for the sake of consistency the minister might be asked to remove it."

His suggestion was drowned out by shouts of "no, no, please, no" and the fluttering of white hankies from Act's Richard Prebble and Ken Shirley.

"I have been asked to do many things but nothing like that," quipped Speaker Jonathan Hunt, who very wisely avoided ruling on the suggestion.

Some of the bawdy comments were condemned by women MPs who thought the guys were getting a bit out of control.

Green MP Metiria Turei, also wearing the Music Month T-shirt but not to quite the same effect, objected to some remarks from the Opposition.

Mr Hunt said he was confident Ms Tizard was more than capable of handling any suspect comments.



Act's Rodney Hide thought that it was only fair that the rule prohibiting promotional T-shirts should be applied to male and female MPs.

Rather unusually, Green MP Nandor Tanczos supported Mr Hide. This prompted the Act MP to throw up his arms and shout "I withdraw" in horror at the thought of the two agreeing.

Mr Prebble took MPs back to Parliament's rule book, which set out that "visual aids" may be displayed in the House but must be removed immediately afterwards.

There was no sign Ms Tizard intended to comply with this particular ruling. "Richard, I didn't know you cared," she said.

It was left to a rather grumpy Acting Prime Minister Michael Cullen to throw cold water on the testosterone steaming up the chamber. "I wonder what the people who are here for serious business would think of the adolescent behaviour from members opposite?"