Speaker Lockwood Smith took the unusual step of ordering a senior minister to leave Parliament's debating chamber today.
Finance Minister Bill English was answering questions about a capital gains tax when he turned one of his answers into criticism of Labour Party policy, which brought Dr Smith to his feet.
That meant anyone else who was standing up had to sit down, but Mr English forged ahead.
"What I can tell you is that a package of measures which involves bigger government spending, new taxes and more debt is bad for the economy," he said.
Dr Smith said Mr English had clearly seen him get to his feet.
