Duncan says bye like she said hi - late

Labour list MP Helen Duncan delayed her valedictory speech to Parliament until today for a very good reason, but she was less satisfied with the cause of the delay of her maiden speech in 1998.

Ms Duncan is leaving Parliament because of terminal cancer. On Monday she underwent neurosurgery and yesterday morning had the staples removed.

A former teacher and list MP since 1998, Ms Duncan said she would have liked to have spoken on Tuesday alongside other MPs who were retiring.

"The other thing I am a bit sorry about today is that Richard Prebble is not here."

Ms Duncan said she had been waiting a long time to have "a go" at the retiring Act MP over his forcing a debate on her mid-term entry into Parliament.

Ms Duncan replaced Jill White, who resigned when she became mayor of Palmerston North, and had to sit in the public gallery and listen as MPs debated whether she could take her seat. The issue related to MPs' warrants, which were usually issued during recesses and not while Parliament was under way.

"To be fair Richard did make the point that his objection was not personal but constitutional. The debate however did delay me taking up my seat and required the rescheduling of my maiden speech."

She said she was proud of Labour's improvements in health services.

"And I am happy to place on record my appreciation of the care I've had in our hospitals and clinical services.

"Of course I've had to wait for treatment at times, but now we've increased the numbers in training - particularly in critical areas such as radiotherapy - delays are no longer critical."

- NZPA