Second allegation emerges against Green MP Julie Anne Genter
Friday, 3 May 2024
A second allegation of bullying has emerged against Green MP Julie Anne Genter.
Newtown florist Laura Newcombe told The Post that she had had a heated discussion with Genter over cycleways.
She said Genter took out her phone and focused in on Newcombe’s face, which she found intimidating.
“It was bullying behaviour,” she said today.
Genter is already facing a Greens disciplinary process for crossing the floor in the House to berate Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey earlier this week.
On Thursday Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson told media that she did not want to see any more bad behaviour from Genter.
A spokesperson for the Greens said that the party had no prior knowledge of the incident with Newcombe. They were not disputing Newcombe’s story.
It would become part of the disciplinary process the Greens had already begun over the incident with Doocey.
“Julie Anne’s actions in the House…were unacceptable and fall short of the high standards the Green Party expects of its MPs. The co-leaders took immediate action to initiate a disciplinary process and will be working with Julie Anne to make sure this behaviour is not repeated.”
Newcombe said she has been in business for 30 years and had never had any problems with an MP before.
Her frustration with the cycleway was over the loss of parking. The Riddiford St store fronts onto a busy thoroughfare, with yellow lines in front. There is no dedicated cycle way in front of the store, but parking was previously removed.
“It is common knowledge that all the carparks have been removed. I have had two knee replacements and I need a loading zone.”
On Wednesday Genter was accused of “intimidating” behaviour after leaving her seat and walking towards the desk of Doocey.
The Green MP was heard saying, “read the report … read the report“, as she approached the National MP and stood near him.
She was also seen smacking a document on the minister's desk, as other MPs looked on.
Genter subsequently apologised for behaviour.
'I'm apologising that I was physically intimidating, that was not my intention,' she said.
House Speaker Gerry Brownlee later confirmed he had received a privilege complaint relating to the Green MP’s behaviour in Parliament.