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A cloud is hanging over the ministerial career of Trevor Mallard, who is taking a break from politics after punching National MP Tau Henare in Parliament's lobby yesterday.
Mr Henare today said Mr Mallard should be dumped from Cabinet, but Prime Minister Helen Clark refused to comment on his future, saying all would be revealed in her reshuffle -- expected next Wednesday.
NZPA understands Mr Mallard's actions will be reflected in the reshuffle in some way. Options -- other than dumping him -- include a symbolic demotion in ranking or the loss of some portfolios.
Mr Henare today said Mr Mallard "lost his rag" after he directed a "very short three-word comment" at him in the House about his personal life.
He would not say what he said, but Mr Mallard separated from his wife this year and there was significant media interest in whether he had entered into another relationship.
Mr Henare said the two took their discussion to the lobby, where it became more heated and Mr Mallard struck him on the jaw.
He refused to say whether he hit Mr Mallard in return, but it is understood the pair had to be pulled apart.
A repentant Mr Mallard today accepted blame for the fracas, saying there was no excuse for his actions.
"Clearly hitting someone is something that no one -- especially a minister -- should do. I'm incredibly sorry I did it," he told reporters.
"It doesn't matter what he did or said, I shouldn't have retaliated, it was absolutely wrong."
Mr Mallard, who has had to cope with the death of his father in the past month, said he was "torn up" by the punch, which was "one of the most stupid things I've done in my life".
The timing, ahead of the reshuffle, was "appalling" and he would now take a couple of days out to rest.
Miss Clark said it was not okay to hit anybody, but refused to say if he would be demoted.
Mr Mallard has a number of portfolios including economic development, state owned enterprises and responsibility for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
He also holds an associate finance portfolio and works closely with Finance Minister Michael Cullen in the budget process, and has been picked by some as his successor.
Miss Clark said Mr Mallard was extremely remorseful, had been a "tremendous colleague" and had "great dedication to his job".
He had experienced a lot of grief recently and needed to take time out to deal with it.
But she said both Mr Mallard and Mr Henare should look at themselves in the mirror over the incident.
But Mr Henare said Miss Clark was "duck shoving". It had been Mr Mallard who had rightly apologised to him and he would not be changing his behaviour in future.
Parliament was a robust forum and Mr Mallard, who had yelled taunts at former National leader Don Brash relating to an alleged affair, should have been able to take his comments "on the chin".
However he said he had accepted Mr Mallard's apology and would not be taking any further action.
Speaker Margaret Wilson also said she would not take any action over the incident, which had occurred in the lobbies and therefore was not under her jurisdiction.
National Party leader John Key today said he had expressed his disappointment to Mr Henare over the incident, which did not "bask anyone in glory".
Mr Key said personal comments were not his style, but resorting to violence was a greater transgression.
"Parliament is a robust place where there is robust discussion. I think there is a big difference between that and when something breaks out into an act of violence and I just don't think there's any place for that."
He would not say whether Mr Mallard should be dumped from Cabinet.
Some social groups today condemned Mr Mallard's actions.
Jigsaw Family Services said the incident sent mixed messages when the Government was running an "It's not OK" family violence campaign.
Chief executive Tau Huirama said provocation was no excuse for violence.
Family First, which lobbied against anti-smacking laws, said Mr Mallard, who had voted for those laws, should resign.
Our local newspaper covered a court case of assault(s) on a young woman by her ex-boyfriend. ... 1st assault - punching her when she wouldn't get in (his) car. 2nd assault - (on another day) spiting at her and having some of the spit land on her after she racial abused him.
Mallard commited a crime - assault. Henare new what was going down (other than himself) - could he be accused of soliciting?. They both displayed a lack of discipline. Not a good look for politicians.
Re the bantering (sledging) that goes on ... hoho haha ... but what about the country and the people. Surely the boss would be in your ear if you stopped work to have a slinging match with a workmate - loss of productivity, etc...
The nature of NZ politics in terms of Parliament, is a disgrace. What comes across loud and clear is abusive behaviour, personal insults, a general lack of respect for the person and complete misunderstanding of the process of debate. What is even more incredible is that this same Parliament votes, not the people, to pass legislation regarding "modelling behaviours" regarding the people. No smacking. No abuse. Yet the Parliament itself engages only too willingly in these things .... including ...... physical violence!
It is clear that Parliamentary Democracy is the lowest form of Democracy. Parliament is an animal to itself. It seems that the political consciousness of NZers (most NZers ... not all) doesn't rise above the level of a vote every 3 years. Between those 3 years it would appear that the elected government can more or less do what it pleases, with no accountability to the people. This has got to be a farce!
NZ needs to look towards the institution of a Participatory Democracry .... one where the people have a say between those empty 3 years, in an effort to curb the arrogance of the political process and to reign in the lunacy of the "school boy - girl" thuggery that we see only too often.
..... and perhaps those in Parliament could do with attendance at some courses to hone their skills at more effective and responsive governance. A course which would encompass:
1. The rules of engagement regarding meaningful and constructive debate.
2. Anger management.
3. Accepting the idea of full disclosure as a basic right of the people to know
about process, policy and candidate.
4. Bringing about a more transparent and open form of governance.
The NZ Parliament has always been tense and will remain tense as long as we have this "play at politics" politics.
