Were Etu union delegates threatened at a select committee?

Written By: - Date published: 9:07 am, June 4th, 2018 - 133 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, democracy under attack, democratic participation, Dirty Politics, national, Parliament, Politics, same old national, Unions, workers' rights - Tags: ,

On the face of it this is really disturbing behaviour. It has been alleged that National MP Parmjeet Parmar threatened to tell the employers of submitters to the Education and Workforce Select Committee what they had said in evidence if they did not withdraw their statements.

From the Etu facebook page:

On Tuesday, E tū delegates from Auckland Hospital kitchen appeared before the Education and Workforce Select Committee to explain why delegates need time to defend their members’ rights.

They ended up getting a telling off from the National MP chair of the Select Committee and either had to withdraw their stories or Compass would be told what they said and who said it. “Natural justice,” the chair said.

Pretty shocked by this.

Neale Jones described it in this tweet.

https://twitter.com/nealejones/status/1001964702157635585

Intimidating a witness is getting close to breaching Parliamentary Privilege which the Parliamentary Website describes in this paragraph:

Developed over centuries of Westminster-style democracy in Britain, parliamentary privilege provides certain exemptions from general law which are considered essential for parliamentary supremacy over the Crown. These include freedom of speech, the power to obtain evidence, and the right for the House to control its own proceedings free from outside interference.

Select committee proceedings are included.

Michael Wood has offered to check into the allegation. Parmar should be told in no uncertain terms about Parliamentary Privilege and the powers of the privileges committee.

133 comments on “Were Etu union delegates threatened at a select committee? ”

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  1. One Anonymous Bloke 1
    4 June 2018 at 9:12 am

    Isn’t she the dishonest one with the violent husband?

    • Morrissey 1.1
      4 June 2018 at 10:10 am

      Yes she is. He’s one reason that she didn’t win the race to succeed the Double Dipper as National leader….

      https://thestandard.org.nz/what-will-2018-bring-for-national/#comment-1432391

    • OnceWasTIm 1.2
      4 June 2018 at 4:46 pm

      Yes she is the very same. And like her fellow gNat Sikh, she’s also managed to reconcile her placing the 5 Evils (of Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Ahankar and Kam) over and above the 5 virtues (truthfulness: and that doesn’t just mean telling the truth – it means honesty at its broadest; Contentment – whatever your disposition, Compassion, Humility, and Love)
      She’s a fail on all of the virtues – but that’s OK – they’re foreign concepts to most every other gNat and you have to wonder how the fuck her brain and her faith works – unless of course she’s actually a complete dolt

  2. AsleepWhileWalking 2
    4 June 2018 at 9:22 am

    That’s a really fucked up definition of natural justice.

    • Aaron 2.1
      5 June 2018 at 1:34 pm

      It’s “might is right” justice – which is very natural, if you’re an animal.

  3. roy cartland 3
    4 June 2018 at 9:26 am

    Wonder what Sir Bill English would have to say. (That’s right, “Sir”.)

    • dukeofurl 3.1
      4 June 2018 at 9:51 am

      Here we go again. She will deny she ever said any such thing and then create a ruckus to shift attention, expect cameo appearances by Paula ( Im a grown woman) Bennett and Gerry ( get out of my way) Brownlee

  4. Grey Area 4
    4 June 2018 at 9:43 am

    How can someone without a sense of decency and fairness (oh wait, she’s National) or understanding of Parliamentary process be chairing a select committee?

    • Obtrectator 4.1
      5 June 2018 at 8:53 am

      Partly because of Labour’s stuff-up back in November, when, in order to get Trevor Mallard elected unopposed as Speaker, they opted to let the Nats chair five Select Committees as well as having 13 extra places on them.

      • tc 4.1.1
        5 June 2018 at 10:45 am

        Yes that recurring theme of giving the thieves and wreckers lots of rope.

        A good strategy if the MSM jump on the bad behaviour and show them up for the born to rule sociopaths they are.

        However with the MSM firmly in nacts pocket the strategy is easily circumvented by the hate/prejudice fueled echo chamber that the garners, richardsons, hoskins, Mr and Mrs Soper etc work within.

        Looking forward to winnie smashing a few of these clowns about which IMO he’s patiently waiting for his moment then ‘BOOM remember 2008’ well I do…

  5. Ankerrawshark 5
    4 June 2018 at 9:45 am

    Sir bill would say nothing about it as the rest of the Nats …..

    They are really evil aren’t they. Fancy bullying (allegedly at this stage) some of the most vulnerable workers who will be on very low pay

  6. millsy 6
    4 June 2018 at 9:58 am

    National want unions banned and workplace relations returned to where they were in the 19th century.

  7. patricia bremner 7
    4 June 2018 at 10:03 am

    This is not the first time they have threatened the messenger. No wonder we have shit in hospital walls. Then they deny deflect and delay… usual tactics. Who is on the committee as well?

    • patricia bremner 7.1
      4 June 2018 at 10:12 am

      I see Chloe Swarbrick is, and a number of Labour. come on kick up a stink.

  8. Dean Reynolds 8
    4 June 2018 at 10:46 am

    The Labour Coalition Government should use its parliamentary majority to replace her as committee Chair. If that means tearing up the ‘agreement’ forced on Labour by Bridges on the opening day of parliament, then too bad

  9. Rosemary McDonald 9
    4 June 2018 at 10:56 am

    https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/education-and-workforce/tab/mp

    Mostly list MPs on this undervalued Select Committee.

    And yes, where were the voices of Labour and Green members when this shit was going down?

  10. Anne 10
    4 June 2018 at 11:02 am

    At the time of the by-election in Mt. Roskill which saw Michael Wood elected to parliament (2016?) I was told by one of Wood’s activists there was a set-up involving Parmjeet Palmer’s husband that would have seriously discredited Wood’s reputation had it succeeded. I understand legal action against the the Palmers was contemplated but after Wood won the seat so handsomely it was decided to let it go.

    Parmjeet Palmer plays dirty.

    • alwyn 10.1
      4 June 2018 at 1:42 pm

      I find it very difficult to take seriously any claims you might make about a person when you don’t even know her name.
      If I claimed that I had inside information about Jacinta Ardurne would you take me seriously?
      I find it hard to believe you actually know anything at all about the Chairperson of this Committee when you say her name is “Palmer”. You use the name 3 times so I find it difficult to accept that it was merely a typo.
      For your future reference her name is PARMAR.

      • Sacha 10.1.1
        4 June 2018 at 2:13 pm

        Phonetically that’s an easy mistake to make.

      • Incognito 10.1.2
        4 June 2018 at 2:22 pm

        Auto-correct taking over?

      • Anne 10.1.3
        4 June 2018 at 3:55 pm

        If you scroll down to my comment @ 10.1 alwyn (just a tiddly way down) you will see that I left a note for lprent . It’s an intermittent problem, but sometimes I am blocked at the start from being able to edit. I wanted to correct the spelling of her surname so took the opportunity to have a little grumble about it @ 10.1. Apology alwyn?

        • alwyn 10.1.3.1
          4 June 2018 at 4:17 pm

          The comment at 10.1 is not one of yours Anne.
          It is in fact by me.
          You did have one at 11.1 where you complain about having to fill in your name every time. So, apparently do most people. If you really wanted to correct her name why didn’t you just put in a correction in this comment? Would that have been so difficult.
          After all by the time you put that comment in, at 11:26 it was far to late to edit a comment made at 11:02.
          Sorry but I really don’t think an apology by me is required. One by you to that lady concerned would seem much more appropriate. After all you got it wrong, in exactly the same way, 3 times in only 6 lines.

          • Anne 10.1.3.1.1
            4 June 2018 at 4:35 pm

            Who the hell do you think you are making blind assumptions and then patronising me with a ticking off. I could give you a totally valid answer, but I don’t owe you any explanation as to why I didn’t do something you apparently deem I should have done. I’ll be the judge of what I do and don’t say. Grow up alwyn!

            • Barfly 10.1.3.1.1.1
              4 June 2018 at 6:06 pm

              Alwyn is fully formed – after all turds don’t grow after being excreted

            • alwyn 10.1.3.1.1.2
              4 June 2018 at 6:21 pm

              “I’ll be the judge of what I do and don’t say”
              That’s nice dear. You stick to your principles.
              On the other hand I’m sure you want me to stick to mine?
              Or is it meant to be a one way street?

              • OnceWasTIm …
                4 June 2018 at 6:34 pm

                “That’s nice dear. You stick to your principles.”

                says it all dear. But never fear alwyn. I know you really are butch and I defer to your exceptionalism. How come you missed out on the Hons list? Whoar. bad luck ole chap

                • alwyn …
                  4 June 2018 at 7:12 pm

                  “missed out on the Hons list”.
                  I really see no need to accept the baubles of office.
                  Helen pleaded with me to accept an Order of New Zealand back in the old days when people had heard of her.
                  Like Groucho Marx I told her that
                  “I don’t care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members”.
                  I was far to polite, you see, to tell her I really didn’t want to belong to a group that included her friends and one that she was clearly desperate to belong to herself. Never allow yourself to be deluded by the trappings of self-righteous fools Tim

                  • In Vino …
                    4 June 2018 at 8:24 pm

                    I think I detect the basis of an irony in that last sentence of yours, alwyn. Punctilious sanctimony is unbecoming, as you should know, always being so clever.

                  • Tracey …
                    5 June 2018 at 2:31 pm

                    too

              • Tracey …
                5 June 2018 at 2:33 pm

                What principles? You mean the principle by which you find something minor so you can continue believing every bit of BS coming from unethical Nat MPs!

      • Pete 10.1.4
        4 June 2018 at 4:08 pm

        Most helpful, PARMAR it is.

        Was that the PARMAR at the time of the by-election in Mt. Roskill which saw Michael Wood elected to parliament had someone told by one of Wood’s activists there was a set-up involving Parmjeet Palmer’s husband that would have seriously discredited Wood’s reputation had it succeeded. The PARMAS who had none of the contemplated legal action taken against them because Wood won the seat so handsomely?

        The Parmjeet PARMAR who, it has been said, plays dirty?

        • Anne 10.1.4.1
          4 June 2018 at 4:53 pm

          If you are insinuating I made the story up Pete then I take umbrage at your comment. Some of the shenanigans did get reported but not the full story. Personally, I think they should have taken legal action as that would have enabled the truth to come out but I expect financial constraints were also a factor in the decision to let it pass.

      • AB 10.1.5
        4 June 2018 at 5:32 pm

        Alwyn – thanks for clearing that up. I was thoroughly confused before your brilliant intervention cleared the matter up. I didn’t know if it was:
        “Palmer” – as in a usually ponderous but occasionally eloquent former PM, or a hackle-only dry fly (yes I would rather be fishing)
        “Parma” – as in ham
        “Parmar” – as in a rather haughty National Party MP who seems to have brought from her home country some rather distasteful notions about innate or natural social hierarchies, and surprisingly (no, not really) has found that these notions resonate rather well with attitudes and ideas prevalent in the National Party.

        So thanks for clearing that up for me mate – I owe you one.

      • Muttonbird 10.1.6
        4 June 2018 at 5:43 pm

        That’s the least of your problems. Your stablemate babayaga has likened Parmar to gang scum in Paremoremo! Both having threatened union members.

      • Michelle 10.1.7
        5 June 2018 at 2:52 pm

        palm her off more like it she wreaks of arrogance this woman I think she thinks she is back in India where corruption is rife

  11. Incognito 11
    4 June 2018 at 11:08 am

    So, that was Tuesday 29 May? If so, why has it taken almost a week to get to this point!? The allegations are quite serious.

    • Anne 11.1
      4 June 2018 at 11:26 am

      I think all the governing party MPs on that committee are newbies. That could be one reason why the allegations are only just surfacing. Also parliament is not currently sitting so the information probably took longer to reach the right quarters. I’m assuming it will be discussed at the next cabinet meeting on Tuesday? It’s possible Winston Peters might be presiding over it too and his tolerance levels are less than Jacinda Ardern’s.

      Edit for lprent: I’m having trouble submitting comments on TS and being able to edit them. I have to fill in the ‘box’ each time and they still aren’t always accepted. It’s been going on for a while now.

  12. One Anonymous Bloke 12
    4 June 2018 at 11:29 am

    No-one thought to advise the submitters that they could give their evidence in “private”, or “secret”.

    Personal responsibility says the chair should resign, and failing that, be sacked.

    • Sacha 12.1
      4 June 2018 at 1:57 pm

      https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/select-committee-faqs/#privatesubmission

      “Parliament tries to be as open and transparent as possible. Therefore, there are rules around private and secret evidence. You must provide a committee with good reasons for why your submission should be accepted as private or secret. All committee members must agree to accept the evidence as private or secret, and sometimes committees choose not to receive this type of evidence.”

    • One Anonymous Bloke 13.1
      4 June 2018 at 11:39 am

      Pretty low opinion of people’s ability to pay attention to more than one issue you have there. Not to mention the Graham Capill style strawman talking points.

      • Babayaga 13.1.1
        4 June 2018 at 11:45 am

        When the substance of the article is a Facebook post (and one that is contradicted by another earlier post) it’s not unreasonable to suggest there aren’t two issues to be contemplating!

    • Muttonbird 13.2
      4 June 2018 at 12:16 pm

      You mean your off topic comment is a failed attempt to distract. Quite a dangerous thing to do on this forum if you want to keep your privileges…

      • Baba Yaga 13.2.1
        4 June 2018 at 5:17 pm

        It isn’t off topic. The link is unions. Or are the prison guards at Pare being threatened by the gang scum not in a union?

        • Muttonbird 13.2.1.1
          4 June 2018 at 5:27 pm

          The topic is the Etu union delegates being threatened at the Nat head of the select committee. You’ve linked to a story about gang members threatening unionised prison staff. I guess then you are equating Parmjeet Parmar with gang scum.

          It’s a stretch, but I guess it is on topic and I’d have to say I agree with you. 🙂

          • Baba Yaga 13.2.1.1.1
            5 June 2018 at 3:44 pm

            If Parmar did threaten Etu union members with physical violence, then yeah. Is that what you’re suggesting?

            My ‘link’ was more to do with this blog hosting a puff piece based on unsubstantiated bleating and yet saying nothing about the situation at Pare. To be more specific, the situation at Pare seems to me to highlight the immense dangers with labour’s catch and release policies, policies that many here seem to be celebrating. There. That is less subtle.

        • Gabby 13.2.1.2
          4 June 2018 at 5:48 pm

          How would the gang scum know babby?

        • Tracey 13.2.1.3
          5 June 2018 at 2:36 pm

          Prolly just acting on ‘dud advice’

    • adam 13.3
      4 June 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Look it’s the ranter in hate running with a distraction, once again.

      Maybe if your party of choice, stopped ripping off poor people, all your wet dreams about self righteous revenge would not be necessary.

      Too soon??!?

  14. Babayaga 14
    4 June 2018 at 11:41 am

    …also from the ETu Facebook page…

    “Great work by our Compass delegates from Auckland Hospital who argued for improved union rights at the Select Committee hearing in Auckland yesterday.“

    Sounds like ETu should get their stories straight!

    • Draco T Bastard 14.1
      4 June 2018 at 2:01 pm

      Just because they were threatened doesn’t mean that they backed down.

      • Sacha 14.1.1
        4 June 2018 at 2:12 pm

        Some folk find it impossible to imagine walking and chewing gum at the same time.

      • Baba Yaga 14.1.2
        4 June 2018 at 5:17 pm

        How do explain the change from one post to the next? Sounds like make believe to me.

        • Draco T Bastard 14.1.2.1
          4 June 2018 at 6:21 pm

          No, it sounds like you not knowing WTF you’re talking about.

          • Baba Yaga 14.1.2.1.1
            5 June 2018 at 3:45 pm

            No, sounds like you don’t know reality when it kicks you in the arse.

    • adam 14.2
      4 June 2018 at 9:23 pm

      Here have a napkin, you’re dribbling again…

  15. mary_a 15
    4 June 2018 at 11:50 am

    If Parmjeet Parmer did use intimidation tactics towards workers, she is playing the filthy Natz game to full expectations!

    There is no place whatsoever in Parliament for this type of behaviour from an MP, regardless of which side of the house they sit! It’s gutter politics at its worst.

    Should Parmer be proven to have abused Parliamentary privileges and overstepped the mark, then Bridges has no option but to sack her.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 15.1
      4 June 2018 at 11:59 am

      The business committee appoints members of select committees, not the leader of the opposition.

    • alwyn 15.2
      4 June 2018 at 6:40 pm

      If you read the material on Parliamentary Privilege published by Parliament itself
      https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/parliamentary-practice-in-new-zealand/chapter-44-parliamentary-privilege/
      it appears that privilege pretty much lets MPs do almost anything in the performance of their duties, with the only real exception being they are not allowed to say nasty things about other members.

      If the Chairperson of a committee threatened to do something that would affect only people outside of Parliament there doesn’t really seem to be anything to stop them.
      An MP can, for example, get up in the house and say anything they like about a non-MP and can’t be sued for it.
      I don’t see how what she is accused of doing could possibly be an abuse of Parliamentary Privilege in a way that could be punished.
      Is there any lawyer reading this post who would care to give an informed comment? Most people seem to be like me without a real understanding of the subject.

    • Tamati Tautuhi 15.3
      6 June 2018 at 6:00 am

      Time for Palmjet to start looking for a new job if she really did say those words, I doubt they would be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting ?

  16. Philj 16
    4 June 2018 at 12:27 pm

    Having a National MP chairing the committee? Is this acceptable behavior Simon? Simon are you pressing hard for your 10 bridge promise for those unfortunate folk up North? Get working Simon.

  17. Venezia 17
    4 June 2018 at 1:10 pm

    So Parmjeet Parmar threatens submitters to a select committee hearing. This sense of entitlement to deny people their democratic rights is up there with a lot of what has happened over the NACT years in government. It must be nipped in the bud. My mother worked for many years in Hospital kitchens in Auckland. This is a workforce exploited for too long.
    I have written to Winston as Acting PM, and the Labour and Green members of the select committee. However Chloe Swarbrick’s email has been bounced back as undeliverable – and I have checked the correct format of her email address. Strange.

  18. Sacha 18
    4 June 2018 at 2:10 pm

    I have not yet seen any reporting from that select committee hearing.

    At best, Parmar was aggressive and arrogant in reminding submitters that their evidence is not anonymous and asserting that the legal concept of ‘natural justice’ requires that those they accuse get a chance to respond.

    At worst, she told submitters that their names would be proactively given to their employer as a way to intimidate them into not giving evidence.

    Her history of nasty, high-handed behaviour makes either interpretation easy to believe – and neither reflects well enough on someone in that role.

    Retribution by an employer against a submitter to a select committee can be punishable as contempt of parliament – but the behaviour of anti-union scofflaws like Affco/Talleys show how much of a deterrent that is.

  19. Ed 19
    4 June 2018 at 2:38 pm

    Property owned by Parmar.
    Enough to make her a dame…..

    “Dr Parmjeet Parmar (National, List)

    Real property
    Rental property (jointly owned), Remuera, Auckland
    Rental property (jointly owned), Half Moon Bay, Auckland
    Commercial property (jointly owned), Mt Wellington, Auckland
    Family home (owned by trust), Eastern Beach, Auckland
    Rental property (owned by Ninian Holdings Limited), Manurewa, Auckland
    Rental property (owned by Nanak Deep Investment Limited), Bucklands Beach, Auckland
    Commercial and residential property (owned by R P & M Parmar Partnership), Flat Bush, Auckland.”

    http://www.radiolive.co.nz/REVEALED-Look-at-how-much-property-our-MPs-own/tabid/615/articleID/118378/Default.aspx

    • Draco T Bastard 19.1
      4 June 2018 at 3:14 pm

      Yep. Almost all our MPs are bludgers.

      Kinda explains why they keep passing legislation that is beneficial to bludgers but bad for the rest of NZ.

      • tracey 19.1.1
        5 June 2018 at 3:54 pm

        Certainly explains the lack of motivation to move on housing affirdability, CGT on all but family home etc. Labour and Nats alike

  20. Ed 20
    4 June 2018 at 2:51 pm

    One of Parmar’s businesses in the news.

    “Whittaker’s filed a trade mark application for the Sante bar in February 2010 but was opposed by Auckland company Kiwi Empire Confectionery in 2012.
    Kiwi Empire operations director Parmjeet Parmar opposed the trade mark application, believing Whittaker’s would use it to prevent Kiwi Empire from selling its own stick-shape chocolate, “Becka’s Chocolate Stiks”.
    Parmar had already received a cease and desist letter from Whittaker’s in 2012, but refused to comply.”

    Refused to comply……..

    Refused to comply……..

    Refused to comply……..

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/68344671/whittakers-wins-sticky-trade-mark-case

  21. Ed 21
    4 June 2018 at 2:53 pm

    One of Parmar’s businesses in the news.

    “Whittaker’s filed a trade mark application for the Sante bar in February 2010 but was opposed by Auckland company Kiwi Empire Confectionery in 2012.
    Kiwi Empire operations director Parmjeet Parmar opposed the trade mark application, believing Whittaker’s would use it to prevent Kiwi Empire from selling its own stick-shape chocolate, “Becka’s Chocolate Stiks”.
    Parmar had already received a cease and desist letter from Whittaker’s in 2012, but refused to comply.”

    Refused to comply……..

    Refused to comply……..

    Refused to comply……..

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/68344671/whittakers-wins-sticky-trade-mark-case

    • OnceWasTIm 21.1
      4 June 2018 at 5:59 pm

      Of course it is @Ed. The bizz in the newz See 1.2 above.

      When it all comes down to it, Parmjeet Kaur is about as genuine as those people that call you up professing to be from “The Microsoft Technical Department”, and just like a Bakshi she should be bloody ashamed of herself with her participation in the big rip, and because that big rip also includes her kith and kin.
      A bigger bitch you coulndn’t hope to encounter unless it was the re-imaged gal from the West with all that o-so passe leopard skin livery. (“Oim layvung!!!”)

  22. millsy 22
    4 June 2018 at 3:27 pm

    Parmar is Indian. In her country trade union members and leaders are harrassed, intimidated and arrested on a regular basis. Same with China. This explains why National are attracting Chinese and Indian donors. The long term goal is to impose Chinese and Indian work practices and conditions in this country, ie non union sweatshops.

    • indiana 22.1
      4 June 2018 at 4:38 pm

      Wow! I hope you don’t choke on your racism each day!

      • In Vino 22.1.1
        4 June 2018 at 8:33 pm

        Fiddlesticks. You indianas are all the same.

      • Obtrectator 22.1.2
        5 June 2018 at 9:25 am

        Nothing racist about Millsy’s comment. Cultural, yes. And some cultures (including ours at times) are pretty appalling.

        • Gosman 22.1.2.1
          5 June 2018 at 2:17 pm

          Yes nothing racist about the comment. It was Paul Henry level of discourse.

    • OnceWasTIm 22.2
      4 June 2018 at 5:48 pm

      Christ!!!!! where to even START to begin @millsy
      Us and them.
      I hope your comment is merely a brainfart based on what you consider your predicament to be not so great while you look yonder for others to blame for it.

      • Muttonbird 22.2.1
        4 June 2018 at 8:40 pm

        millsy calls for poor working conditions and corruption not to be imported into this country. An admirable stance.

        It’s been clearly shown this country is in danger from these practices with the student visa rorts and the many instances of worker exploitation cropping up in immigrant community employment situations.

        Don’t look the other way because you think it might be hard on genuine immigrants. It’s a worse disease than M Bovis and PSA. Deal with it head on.

        • OnceWasTim 22.2.1.1
          5 June 2018 at 1:53 pm

          “millsy calls for poor working conditions and corruption not to be imported into this country. An admirable stance.”

          agreed. some of the rest of it is slightly embellished.

        • McFlock 22.2.1.2
          5 June 2018 at 2:23 pm

          Yes, but also ties it to an individual’s country of origin. We can also talk about US working conditions, or Russian. Basically, I’m not really comfortable with the direction of millsy’s comment.

          Overseas donors are attracted from stronger, growing economis that are seeking to compete for regional soft power and trade. This is different to an individual happening to come from a place (unless they turn out to have concealed associations with spy agencies in their home country, lol).

    • tracey 22.3
      5 June 2018 at 3:56 pm

      Wow Millsy just wow. All Indians are liars and thieves!?!

  23. Observer Tokoroa 23
    4 June 2018 at 4:22 pm

    Steady On India

    We are all aware of the shocking and appalling treatment ordinary people receive constantly in India.

    Our Parliament should let it be known that any person who copies and spreads that awful treatment here in New Zealand will face the full punishment of New Zealand Law, including Incarceration.

    Even threatening New Zealand Workers is not permitted

    Persons furthering their own Business through Parliament connections will also face the Law.

    It is pathetic that National sychophants are hiding the saris of Indian women – and rubishing Kiwi workers. Just how sick and putrid is National and rabble get !

    • OnceWasTim 23.1
      5 June 2018 at 2:15 pm

      “We are all aware of the shocking and appalling treatment ordinary people receive constantly in India.”

      You are correct! Child rape; politicians of the right trying to drive a wedge between religious denominations (Muslim/Hindu/Sikh), and between Jatts and Dalits; women being treated like shit; child abandonment and mutilation; etc….

      We should ALSO be aware of the brave people fighting against it all, and be giving them our support – not lumping all Indians in together. (People such as all-women police teams stopping harassment of women by arsehole males in gangs and investigating forced marriages in an ever-increasing number of states; and having to battle against the hierarchy; people such as opposition politicians calling out bullshit; people keeping track of those involved in what’s known as “IELTS brides”).

      Or is it OK to have to make a few sacrificies because “all bloody Indians are the same”. And because they apparently are, they’re not really that deserving? Am I reading you correctly? I’d love to know.

      • tracey 23.1.1
        5 June 2018 at 3:58 pm

        Well said

        • OnceWasTim 23.1.1.1
          5 June 2018 at 8:18 pm

          Yea well @ Tracey ….. some of these keyboard, butch and ill-informed warriors from both ‘the left’ and ‘the right’ (not unlike a Hooten & Williams on ‘NointaNoon’) are apt to piss me off at times (and that’s part of the problem with that broad church – the ‘Left’).
          When you look at some of the shite above that provoked my reply, it’s pretty bloody evident that they really have NO FUCKING IDEA of the reality.

          I mentioned just SOME of the initiatives of the brave people fighting the tide – AND just to do with those “bloody Indians” who are apparently all the same.
          We could go into other ‘nations’ such as Mainland Chinese immigrant experiences versus those from other jurisdictions – such as HK, or Macau, or even others such as Malay-sha, or other ‘Ashun’ areas. (Btw, they’d also be railing about expansionist, wannabe emperor-for-life-inspired policy from mainland China – not only in the South China Sea, but also in encroachments across the Bhutan/Napal/India/China border.

          Then we could go into the whole issue of our WASP (or subservient Noble Savage WASP) expectations that we’re entitled to our OE and experiences in former WASP colonies – their divine right to travel, earn, and be treated with respect in countries where currencies are of between a third more, and double those in value of our own. (That’s excluding the ill-gotten ‘black money’ that’s now an inherent part of the NuZull konomy going forwid). An if we do traverse a former ‘developing’ and former Brit colony on our way there, they’re still ‘quaint’ and lesser beings somehow.

          But then, as we do…..those other brown developing people from ‘developing countries’ are undeserving and we won’t tolerate the bastards coming here – they’ll all the fucking same from what I see of some of the posters on here. Apparently, they should just know their place and get in line as refugees.

          So basically I call bullshit on some of the crap above (I note there are some who don’t appear to want to answer)

  24. greg 24
    4 June 2018 at 5:36 pm

    i remember a debate in the mt roskill by election where parmer told a teachers aid who worked with special needs children her work wasn’t worth the living wage she really is a nasty bit of work and probable some one we could do with out in this country deport the bitch

    • alwyn 24.1
      4 June 2018 at 7:02 pm

      “deport the bitch”.
      Very unlikely to happen old chap.
      In fact about as unlikely as having Julie Anne Genter tossed out. Theoretically possible to cancel their citizenship because they were both born in another country but that is as far as it goes.
      The chances would seem to be SFA.

      You do realise you sound just like one of the more rabid Trump supporters talking about Hillary Clinton don’t you? A supporter, not Trump himself. He may have called for her to be jailed but even Trump never went as far as calling her a “bitch”.
      Why are you really so angry? You don’t even seem to be capable of writing her correct name.

      • In Vino 24.1.1
        4 June 2018 at 8:41 pm

        Well, dear alwyn, I happened to notice that up at 10.1.3.1 above, you foolishly typed ‘far to late’ instead of ‘far TOO late’. At the time I thought it would be petty to bring the matter up, but here you are again punctiliously blathering on about how someone you disagree with can’t spell correctly. You are not so bloody perfect yourself, I would suggest.

        • adam 24.1.1.1
          4 June 2018 at 9:25 pm

          Careful In Vino, reality and stating an objective truth might just blow alwyn’s little head off.

        • alwyn 24.1.1.2
          5 June 2018 at 12:01 am

          Me, perfect?
          Whatever gave you that idea?
          On the other hand I don’t call women “bitch” and demand that we deport New Zealand citizens.
          You, on the other hand, clearly see nothing wrong with what greg was saying but are terribly upset by me typing “to” instead of “too”.
          Amazing. Even Trump doesn’t stoop to the level you regard as perfectly acceptable. Just what does it take before you think one of your mates has gone over the line?

          • In Vino 24.1.1.2.1
            5 June 2018 at 12:51 am

            Grandstanding much, alwyn? Greg’s style of writing made me struggle to know exactly what he was saying. But you made your convenient interpretation, didn’t you? You remain imperfect.
            And your histrionic condemnations of anyone who disagrees with you simply bring you into ridicule.

            • alwyn 24.1.1.2.1.1
              5 June 2018 at 9:55 am

              The lack of punctuation could easily confuse you. However can you possibly give me any other interpretation of this other than the one I drew?
              ” she really is a nasty bit of work and probable some one we could do with out in this country deport the bitch”
              The only alternative would seem to be that he wants the Teacher Aid to be deported. Are you perhaps in favour of that.
              Are you really as foolish as you appear? Or do you simply see nothing wrong with calling someone a “bitch”. I suspect the latter.
              I suggest you try and stop defending the indefensible. Apologise for your action and endeavour to do better in the future.

              • In Vino …
                5 June 2018 at 11:04 am

                See what I mean?

                • alwyn …
                  5 June 2018 at 11:46 am

                  Yes, all is clear about you.
                  ” you simply see nothing wrong with calling someone a “bitch”. ” is the correct interpretation of your beliefs.
                  You are at least willing to admit to your vile behaviour. You still don’t see anything wrong with it though.

                  • In Vino …
                    5 June 2018 at 12:41 pm

                    Your words and tantrum-like assertions, alwyn, not mine. I did not agree with all that Greg wrote, and I made no mention of ‘bitch’ in criticising you.
                    Wishful diversion on your part – take a chill pill and try to come back to reality.

                  • tracey …
                    5 June 2018 at 4:02 pm

                    You sure do put alot of words into other people’s mouths alwayn

                  • tracey …
                    5 June 2018 at 4:04 pm

                    Calling you to account for your self righteous behaviour does not mean, ipso facto, that one agrees with Gregs epithet.

              • tracey …
                5 June 2018 at 4:01 pm

                The Nat MP who trained Chinese spies and lied on his visa forms should resign fromour Parliament? Yes or no alwyn

        • tracey 24.1.1.3
          5 June 2018 at 4:00 pm

          Had the same thought but read the rest and pointed it out. I couldnt think of a conspiracy theory to go with it though. To show how great the govt is and how lacking evidence Nats are because of his lack of grammar awareness

      • AB 24.1.2
        4 June 2018 at 10:23 pm

        While I won’t excuse greg’s language, I respect his concern that our values might be undermined by poorly controlled immigration of elites from very inegalitarian cultures. The solutions are more complex than the deportation he suggests, and obviously need to focus on the selection side. The simplest change, and one that would be impervious to mischevious and disingenuous accusations of racism, is simply to make wealth a disqualification for immigration.

        • OnceWasTim 24.1.2.1
          6 June 2018 at 11:43 am

          “…..poorly controlled immigration of elites from very inegalitarian cultures.”

          Ain’t that the bloody truth!

          And yet we have fellow ‘lefties’ judging Indians and others as all being the same ffs! They do themselves and ‘the left’ no favours.
          There are many many many who have the egalitarian values we see as desirable AND who actually put their lives on the line at times.
          Personally I’d prefer them as immigrants/refugees rather than the ‘elites from inegalitarian and totalitarian’ countries, and those from our former colonial masters – some still apparently having the attitudes of their ancestors.

  25. R.P Mcmurphy 25
    4 June 2018 at 8:22 pm

    there is something very shifty and slippery about that woman!

  26. adam 26
    4 June 2018 at 9:30 pm

    If this MP did do this, then I think some jail time is the only answer for criminal behaviour like this.

    Blackmail is covered by the crimes act.

    http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/DLM330263.html

    Is it not time that those who hold these position of power be held account? Or do we have a government willing to add in the growing distrust of parliament and politicians.

    Unless the perpetrator is dealt with harshly, then it is a win for this Tory princess, who will walk away laughing at the working poor once more.

    • Tamati Tautuhi 26.1
      6 June 2018 at 6:11 am

      Time for Palmjet to start looking for a new job if she really did say those words, I doubt they would be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting ?

    • Jack Ramaka 26.2
      6 June 2018 at 6:13 am

      Blackmailing is common practice in India.

  27. Pete 27
    4 June 2018 at 10:11 pm

    I believe the story is true. I believe Parmar to be a most arrogant person.

    I was getting at someone whose only answer to the behaviour at the time of the by-election was to be smart-arse about your spelling and try to prove their cleverness by being infantile with the spelling of the PM’s name.

    • Anne 27.1
      5 June 2018 at 9:48 am

      Hi Pete, I suspect you are commenting in answer to me @ 10.1.4.1

      Your intention wasn’t clear but I can now see from your explanation what you were doing. You are on the button about the infantile behaviour. 🙂

  28. Ed 28
    4 June 2018 at 10:18 pm

    If she did this she must resign from parliament.

    • tracey 28.1
      5 June 2018 at 4:06 pm

      From National???? They might throw her to the wolves to make them look like they have standards but…

      Bennett
      Collins
      Brownlee
      English
      Finlayson
      Smith

  29. Gosman 29
    5 June 2018 at 8:48 am

    The question is if this is actually as stated here what is Labour and the support parties of Government going to do about it given they have the authority to act or at least call for action?

  30. Tuppence Shrewsbury 30
    5 June 2018 at 12:20 pm

    Probably not if not a single labour or green mp has complained about it.

    Sounds like Et Tu were trying to paint some bad behaviour on their members part as something that’s nationals fault. Typical

    • Gosman 30.1
      5 June 2018 at 1:52 pm

      Yes I suspect you are correct. Interesting spin on this by the lefties here though.

      • tracey 30.1.1
        5 June 2018 at 4:07 pm

        Glad you all worked this round to be Labour’s fault and then congratulated each other. Classy. Alwyn will be along shortly to demand evidence from Tuppence or a retraction

        • Gosman 30.1.1.1
          5 June 2018 at 4:11 pm

          I’m not blaming Labour at all. In fact I think Labour is probably acting in the most appropriate way. I blame people like you for thinking there is some sort of scandal here. If YOU are right ONLY then would Labour be remiss by not calling for this to be dealt with under Parliamentary Privilege.

          • Stuart Munro 30.1.1.1.1
            5 June 2018 at 4:17 pm

            Meh – you’ll blame anyone – anyone at all – that isn’t the vile, nasty, lying, wretched, worthless Gnats.

          • McFlock 30.1.1.1.2
            5 June 2018 at 4:27 pm

            Doesn’t it say in the post that Wood is looking into it?

            • Gosman 30.1.1.1.2.1
              5 June 2018 at 6:11 pm

              Why doesn’t he just raise the issue now? He shouldn’t have to look in to it.

              • McFlock …
                5 June 2018 at 9:00 pm

                Maybe he wants all the information before doing anything.

                • Gosman …
                  5 June 2018 at 9:44 pm

                  What additional information would he need that could change the view this is a Privilege issue?

                  • McFlock …
                    6 June 2018 at 12:59 pm

                    Was he there?
                    Did he hear the entire comment clearly?
                    Is it recorded in some way?
                    How did the people being spoken to feel?
                    What was the tory’s claimed intention?

                    You know, basic shit. This is more than a cellphone and an overhead locker.

        • Tuppence Shrewsbury 30.1.1.2
          5 June 2018 at 4:34 pm

          I’m not blaming Labour. I’m blaming Et Tu and Neale Jones for trying to spin something out of nothing and to smear a committee chair in the process.

          Isn’t JAG on this committee? no one honestly believes she would stand by and let bullying by a National Party Committee chair occur without comment?

          Lefties may be idiots and believe whatever they are told on twitter, but centrists know how to read between the lines and find the truth in a story. no matter how much it hurts.

          edit – I see it’s Chloe Swarbrick, with Jan Tinetti as deputy chair. So no real reason why they wouldn’t have said something unless there was nothing to be said about the incident

    • Gabby 30.2
      5 June 2018 at 4:54 pm

      What bad behaviour are they trying to pin on nastianal tuppers?

  31. Tamati Tautuhi 31
    6 June 2018 at 6:17 am

    So after all this debate it appears Et Tu are just stirring up trouble. Case closed ?