Nats move on no-confidence in speaker

Speaker Margaret Wilson

National leader Don Brash has lodged a motion of no confidence in Parliament's Speaker Margaret Wilson.

The motion -- tantamount to a declaration of war on the Labour MP -- follows Ms Wilson's decision yesterday not to refer a complaint about the dealings of colleague Taito Phillip Field to Parliament's court-like privileges committee.

Ms Wilson yesterday told MPs Mr Field's actions did not breach the legal definition of privilege and therefore were not within the committee's jurisdiction.

She said only the business in the House and select committees were covered by parliamentary privilege.

Horrified National MPs said her interpretation meant MPs could take kickbacks from anyone they helped, and nothing could be done about it.

The motion can be blocked by an objection from a single MP.

The Government will not allow it to go ahead, but it will then remain on Parliament's order paper.

The motion is that the House has no confidence in Ms Wilson due to the fact "she has chosen to exercise that discretion in such a narrow, legalistic and technical manner as to make it impossible for the privileges committee to ascertain the truth regarding the allegations against Taito Phillip Field, or to uphold and protect the standards and reputation of this Parliament".

A report in Mr Field's dealings by Noel Ingram QC cleared him of conflict of interest in his dealings with the immigrants as a minister, but raised many other questions about his activities.

National MPs claim he used the immigrants for "slave labour" in exchange for helping them with visa applications.

National MPs have four specific formal complaints with the Labour Department alleging Mr Field breached the Minimum Wage Act by underpaying Thai immigrants who worked on his properties.

It is also preparing a complaint to Inland Revenue.

- NZPA