'Quisling' spat breach of privilege says MP

A spate that started with Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton being called a "quisling" in Parliament by Act MP Gerry Eckhoff has turned into accusations of breaches of parliamentary privilege.

During last Wednesday's general debate Mr Eckhoff used the offending word - which means traitor - while speaking about farmer anger over the Government's policy to regulate public access through private land to waterways.

Acting Speaker Clem Simich asked him to withdraw and apologise, but Mr Eckhoff refused. As punishment, Mr Simich cut short Mr Eckhoff's remaining speaking time but did not eject him.

However Mr Sutton, who was overseas at the time, subsequently wrote to Speaker Jonathan Hunt complaining that he found the name to be "deeply offensive" and accusing Mr Simich of not giving him the protection he was entitled to.

"Allowing the member to get away with a refusal to withdraw, merely terminating his speech, further implied that the breach was minor and technical only."

Mr Sutton wrote that Mr Simich's failure to protect him may amount to a breach of parliamentary privilege and he would seek further advice.

Mr Eckhoff said yesterday that he found Mr Sutton's letter deeply offensive and that it was an attempt to "intimidate the Speakership".

He said Mr Sutton's letter must be a breach of privilege, and he strongly supported the issue being referred to Parliament's privileges committee.

But Mr Simich said Mr Eckhoff was just playing politics.

"It was a very simple matter. Inferring that someone in the House was a quisling was why I pulled him up."

Mr Simich said the punishment was harsher than ejecting the MP.

"I thought he was thoroughly embarrassed by not complying with my request. He would have loved to have gone out - and so do most who are sent out because they think that strengthens their point."