Kiwi MP booted from parliament over Palestine speech
Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that Australia would recognise a Palestinian state but his Kiwi counterpart, Christopher Luxon, has been more hesitant on the issue.
On Tuesday Mr Luxon, who recently hosted a visit from the Aussie PM, announced New Zealand would make a decision on whether to recognise Palestine as a state next month.
That afternoon in an urgent debate, Ms Swarbrick, who is in opposition, urged government MPs to back her private member's bill allowing New Zealand to apply sanctions on Israel.
'My question for this place is what the hell is the point of our jobs?' she said.
' … I will reiterate my call for the government to pick up our unlawful occupation of Palestine sanctions bill and to sanction Israel for its war crimes.
'If we find six of 68 government MPs with a spine we can stand on the right side of history.'
Speaker Gerry Brownlee took exception to that last comment, telling Ms Swarbrick it was 'completely unacceptable to make that statement – withdraw it and apologise'.
'No,' she replied.
'Then leave the house for the rest of the week,' Mr Brownlee said.
'Happily,' said Ms Swarbrick, who along with her Greens colleagues was wearing a Middle Eastern keffiyeh around her neck.
Mr Brownlee later explained Ms Swarbrick would be allowed back into parliament on Wednesday if she agreed to withdraw her statement and apologise.
Emotions ran high during Tuesday's debate and Ms Swarbrick was not the only MP to attract the ire of Mr Brownlee.
The speaker also demanded that ACT MP Simon Curry – part of the coalition government – apologise after he accused Ms Swarbrick of 'hallucinating outrage'.
No National MPs spoke during the debate but Mr Curry said in his speech that recognition of a Palestinian state must be conditional on all Israeli hostages being returned and Hamas being removed from power.
Speaking to reporters outside parliament after she was ejected, Ms Swarbrick said the speaker had been heavy-handed.
'As far as the robust rebate goes in that place, I think that was pretty mild in the context of the war crimes that are currently unfolding,' she said.
'What the hell is the point of everything that we do if the people if the people in my place, in my job don't do their job?
'If we allow other human beings to be just mercilessly slaughtered, to be shot while waiting for food aid, what hope is there for humanity?'
ACT leader and deputy prime minister, David Seymour, had earlier criticised Ms Swarbrick's decision to display a keffiyeh in parliament.
'I invite you to consider what this house might look like if everybody who had an interest in a global conflict started adorning their seats with symbols of one side or another of a conflict,' he said.
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NSW government report uncovers alleged misuse of public money alotted to vulnerable kids
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News.com.au
33 minutes ago
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Calls for four-day work week a ruse, opposition says
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