Ex-speaker sued by child over Parliament protest music
Former Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard is being sued by a child over blasting repetitive bad music from loudspeakers during the 2022 Parliament protest and occupation.
During the occupation, Mallard used the speaker system to play music and the sprinklers to try and deter protesters and move them on from the lawn.
The lawyer for the child, Tudor Clee, confirmed to RNZ the case was filed at the High Court in Wellington, naming the attorney-general and speaker as defendants.
Clee said the case was in its very early stages and would be before a judge for its first call over on July 7 to deal with the name suppression, given the client is a minor.
The case sought a declaration that the child's rights were breached, as well as damages of $40,000 for three separate breaches.
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Clee said Mallard was being sued for two breaches of the Bill of Rights — the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel treatment and the freedom of association.
The third was a tort — a civil wrong — claiming misfeasance in public office, where a public officer intentionally abused their power, causing harm to another person.
The lawyer said this was an unusual claim to file but covered the intentional use of what he described as "military torture techniques" when Mallard set up loudspeakers to prevent protesters resting and sleeping.
Lawyers for the attorney-general and the speaker of the House have been approached for comment.
rnz.co.nz
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