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Summarised by Centrist
Sir Geoffrey Palmer says Parliament’s power to jail or fine MPs is “not compatible with modern civil liberties.”
He warns it could be used against unpopular figures, but also insists that elected MPs must follow the rules of the House.
His comments come amid an escalating confrontation with Te Pāti Māori (TPM), whose MPs are refusing to appear before the Privileges Committee after staging a haka in the chamber during the November reading of the Treaty Principles Bill.
Committee chair Chris Bishop has given them until 23 April to comply.
TPM co-leader Rawiri Waititi has openly mocked the process, calling it a “silly little Privileges Committee” enforcing “silly little rules.” The party claims the committee’s refusal to allow joint appearances, tikanga experts, or legal input makes the process unfair.
But Sir Geoffrey, who is writing a book on parliamentary privilege, says that while the law is outdated and needs reform, Parliament is entitled to maintain order. “What was done was disruptive… these things have to be dealt with,” he told LawNews.
He rejects TPM’s claim that it can hold its own hearing into the conduct of MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, saying bluntly: “They’ve got no parliamentary power to do that.”
Palmer says the Privileges Act is “obscure,” “dangerous,” and “not compatible with modern notions of bills of rights,” especially as it allows for imprisonment by parliamentary vote.
“A New Zealander walking down Lambton Quay would probably think that if he was going to be sent to jail, he would be sent there by a court,” he said.
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