Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Perhaps you might consider locating more of the disinfectant materials around the Chamber. I think there are three stations in the Chamber.
SPEAKER: I’ll be happy to replace the one that was behind the Leader of the Opposition and taken away by his members yesterday.
Hon Members: It’s still there.
Hon Gerry Brownlee: Oh, it’s still here. Sorry—I hadn’t seen it there. So there’s four—that’s right—except that—
SPEAKER: There’s one in each quadrant.
Hon Gerry Brownlee: Yes, I know. But it requires significant movement, which I’m sure you’d be upset about. And quite often—
SPEAKER: I’m very happy to—
Hon Gerry Brownlee: —the proximity is closer than a metre.
SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. I will be happy to double the numbers in order to save the members moving 3 or 4 metres.
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That is a completely disingenuous comment from you and quite unnecessary. The reality is that we are seeing people wondering in this Chamber in a closer proximity than 2 metres of the other. The most senior member in the Chamber left today and had a conversation within about a metre of another person inside the Chamber. Similarly, when the second most senior member left the Chamber, a similar exchange occurred. Now, either we’re doing it properly or not at all. And having more opportunity to wipe down—
SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. We’ve had enough. We’re not going to have an inquiry into it. And the second most senior member in the Chamber hasn’t left yet.
