Politicians are supposed to be thick-skinned, but that is not always so when it comes to certain parts of the body.
National's senior whip, John Carter, yesterday complained to Speaker Jonathan Hunt about Assistant Speaker Jill Pettis, saying there was "too much testosterone" in the House on Tuesday night.
Ms Pettis yesterday withdrew the comment in the House, but not before her use of the term had been debated. Testosterone, which is produced in the testicles, is linked to the male sex drive.
"A number of us in this House felt slighted by that comment," Mr Carter said yesterday. "I took it as a very serious insult as I know a number of members, certainly all the members on this side, did."
Mr Carter said the Labour MP's use of the word was "sexist".
"Had I made a remark as a National male member of Parliament about PMT to a Labour woman member of Parliament I would have been castigated by that side of the House."
Faced with an eruption of laughter and the suggestion that he meant to say "castrated", Mr Carter replied, "probably that as well".
"It would have solved the testosterone problem, but nevertheless ...
"While it may have some humour with it, it is also a serious matter that ... one does not expect an officer of this house to make derogatory, sexist remarks in their capacity as an officer of this Parliament."
Leader of the House Michael Cullen told Parliament he was unsure whether male opposition members were objecting to having "too much or too little testosterone".
"Whatever was actually said, the remark took place against a background of repeated points of order which were challenging the acceptance by the chair of a closure motion.
"I suggest to you ... that what is happening here is a concerted campaign by the National Party members to undermine the authority of one of the assistant chairs and that is not acceptable."
Never one to stay silent on such matters, ACT leader Richard Prebble said he personally did not feel insulted by Ms Pettis' comment.
"It would be a great mistake if we were to have a ruling from you as Speaker that we in this chamber are required to be politically correct.
"While I myself try very hard not to make sexist remarks, I most certainly stand up for the members' free rights to make whatever statements that they want to and they can face the electorate and explain it."
Mr Prebble also offered a more immediate solution.
"I'm sure if the chair thinks about it, making a statement like that from the chair about members of parliament isn't helpful and really the best thing would be if she was to take the call and just withdraw the remark."
Speaker Jonathan Hunt agreed.
"The actual remark itself, had it been made as an interjection by a member, I would have regarded as something with a certain amount of humour to it. But the member is an officer of the House and I wondered if she might, on reflection, be prepared to say something at this point."
And with that came the end of the great testosterone debate when Ms Pettis stood up and announced, "I withdraw."
- NZPA
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