MP kicked out of Parliament for wearing rugby jersey

Labour MP Clare Curran's attempt to wear an old Highlanders rugby jersey in Parliament's debating chamber was kicked into touch today. Photo / supplied.

Labour MP Clare Curran has been turfed out of Parliament for wearing a Highlanders rugby jersey.

Speaker Lockwood Smith this afternoon ordered the Dunedin South MP to leave the debating chamber during question time for breaching the dress code.

Ms Curran's choice to wear the blue and yellow jersey comes after the Highlanders' management last week controversially announced its players would wear a lime green jersey from next season.

Dr Smith ruled Ms Curran's attire was not appropriate and ordered her to leave the debating chamber, saying she was welcome to return after changing clothes.

"It is not appropriate, unless the Speaker's permission is sought, to advertise sports teams in this chamber - nothing is allowed to be advertised in this chamber.

"If a male member of this House came into this house wearing a soccer top or a rugby top they would be asked to leave."

Ms Curran questioned where the women's dress code was found within standing orders, which are the rules that govern conduct within Parliament.

Dr Smith replied he had decided her attire was not appropriate, and that rules should be consistent for men and women the interest of fairness.

"What is expected in this House is normal business attire and I am asking the member to leave the chamber and come back dressed appropriately should she wish.

"It's all I'm asking, it's not a big call."

Dr Smith twice repeated that he was waiting for Ms Curran to leave before she complied.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei sought to raise a point of order on the decision, but her request was turned down. She left the debating chamber saying, "It's crap."

Ms Curran's removal from the chamber was supported by Labour colleague Trevor Mallard, who said it was a step towards equality.

"We've had in the past Ruth Richardson regularly in this House in a tracksuit, and that was something which was allowed because I think when the original rules were developed, it wasn't contemplated that there would be women members of Parliament."

He asked Dr Smith to look carefully at the issue of sports attire, given that some MPs wore ties and badges supporting sports teams

Dr Smith said he had no objection to that but asked MPs to exercise discretion.

He said the standards had been updated since Ms Richardson was an MP, and women were now expected to wear business attire.

Dr Smith said he would not be pedantic on dress and would trust MPs' judgment, but asked them to be reasonable.

- NZPA