National MP scolds Chloe Swarbrick for 'formulaic' treaty speech

  • Updated
  • 12/04/2018

Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick has been accused of using a "formulaic cut-and-paste speech" in Parliament by National MP Scott Simpson.

The accusation, which the Greens have since slammed as "inappropriate" and an "attempt to score cheap political points", came as part of the second reading of the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Claims Settlement Bill.

During her speech, Ms Swarbrick spoke about how little she learned about Auckland's mana whenua as a child and the powerful stories of the history of Tāmaki Makaurau contained in the bill.

Once Ms Swarbrick had finished speaking, Mr Simpson criticised her for a speech he labelled "formulaic".

As the other side of the house protested, Mr Simpson chided Ms Swarbrick for her speech-writing, implying it was a rookie mistake from a new Member of Parliament.

"The speaker that's just resumed her seat is a new member to the house," he said.

"She would do well to realise early on in her parliamentary career that simply coming to the house on an important piece of legislation... with a formulaic cut-and-paste speech that she's used previously, is an embarrassment and an insult to the process of treaty settlements - and my advice to her is to do a bit of homework.

"Do a bit of homework and spend some time investing in something more than a cut-and-paste and just putting the name of the iwi into the stock standard speech, because the Ngāi Tai people deserve better than that."

The Greens have since responded, saying Mr Simpson had caused more offence than anything Ms Swarbrick had said in her address.

"The Green Party 100 percent stands behind Chloe's speech. It was researched, informative and we have had no negative feedback from the iwi," said new Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

"The real offence was caused by Scott Simpson, who inappropriately used a treaty debate to attempt to score cheap political points.

"I think the National Party just need to calm down and have a cuppa and a lie down."

Mr Simpson was followed by Defence Minister Shane Jones, who did not make reference to Ms Swarbrick's speech or the accusation.

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