Peters' drinking habits subject of torrid debate

By KEVIN NORQUAY


Political bad blood got even more contaminated today, as National MP John Key pinpointed Winston Peters as smelling of alcohol in the debating chamber.

Mr Key raised a point of order when Green MP Nandor Tanczos criticised MPs who drank alcohol on parliamentary business, yet were tough on "other people's drugs".

"I still get the whiff of alcohol in this chamber at times, it is not common, but it happens," Mr Tanczos said in a speech on Green Party drug policy.

Mr Key took exception, urging Mr Tanczos to name names, then deciding himself who the Green MP was referring to.

"It reflects badly on the 120 members of Parliament if another member of Parliament is going to come down here and make the accusation that there are whiffs of alcohol," Mr Key said.

"If he is talking about Winston Peters ... which clearly he was, because he was talking about the time that [Mr Peters] was Treasurer of the country, then he should say that."

With Mr Peters not in the chamber, his defence was left to New Zealand First MP Brian Donnelly, who said he took "very strong offence".

Mr Key had used the point of order to specify Mr Peters - whose penchant for socialising is legendary - as "being the very one that Nandor Tanczos was talking about", Mr Donnelly said.

As there was "quite a distance" between where the two sat in the chamber, Mr Key should withdraw the reference, Mr Donnelly said.

Assistant Speaker Clem Simich ruled what Mr Tanczos said about the New Zealand First leader had been broad enough for MPs not to take offence.

And as for Mr Peters?

"Goodness me, enough references have been made to that member over a number of things, so don't get so touchy."

Mr Peters had nothing to say about "junk bond dealer" Mr Key, a New Zealand First spokesman said.

National and New Zealand First have been acting as if they are sworn enemies, with Mr Peters alleging National stole his race relations policy.

Before the attack, Mr Peters spent his general debate speech outlining the faults of the largest Opposition party and its leader Don Brash.

Dr Brash "the Lion of Orewa, has become a lamb in this Parliament", Mr Peters said.

"This is the first time in history that a chicken has been seen leading a bunch of turkeys."

If National could not lead the Opposition, it should get out of the way and let New Zealand First do it, Mr Peters said.

In 2000, Mr Tanczos found himself under fire for saying to MPs he had seen politicians "drunk in charge of a country".

That time, Parliament passed a motion calling on him to name those he was referring to.

- NZPA