Julie Anne Genter ‘working from home’, complaint made

Thursday, 2 May 2024

As MPs were debating roading projects as part of the Annual Review - Transport on Wednesday night, Genter rose from her seat and walked across the chamber towards National's Matt Doocey.

Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter is working from home while a disciplinary process is under way, after she last night crossed the House to remonstrate with National’s Matt Doocey.

The Speaker, Gerry Brownlee, confirmed in the House on Thursday afternoon that a privileges complaint had been made.

Genter didn’t appear at Parliament on Thursday morning for a transport select committee she is a member of. Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the party was now following a code of conduct process.

“We are making it really clear to her, that behaviour shouldn’t have happened … We will be making it very clear that this must not happen again, and providing personal and professional support,” Davidson said.

“The process involves setting out expectations of behaviour and making it clear this must not happen again … what happened in the House last night is not acceptable for any MP, not acceptable for ours, and must not happen again.”

MP Julie Anne Genter stands over National's Matt Doocey in Parliament. Photo: Screenshot / Parliament TV

Genter, the MP for Rongotai, last night apologised in the House, after she rose from her seat while MPs were debating roading projects. After striding across the chamber to where Doocey was sitting Genter waved a booklet in front of his face and yelled, “read the report”.

The debate’s chair, Parliament deputy speaker Barbara Kuriger, then instructed Genter to return to her seat. Senior whip Scott Simpson told the House her actions were intimidating, unparliamentary and unprecedented.

“Sir, I have never seen behaviour of that sort in this chamber in my time … I think it’s a serious matter that warrants an intervention immediately.”

Julie Anne Genter, MP for Rongotai, was not in Parliament on Thursday.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins this morning said Genter’s behaviour was unacceptable, that politicians should remain respectful during debates, and intimidation was unacceptable.

Doocey, National’s Mental Health Minister, has not commented today. Davidson said the party would meet with Doocey and prime minister Christopher Luxon if they indicated they wanted a meeting. Davidson had contacted both last night “to make it clear that this is unacceptable”, but she hadn’t heard back.

Asked if Genter had been under any undue pressure, Davidson responded, “Everyone knows that the Greens have had a heck of a rough time, Just two days ago our grief was resurfaced for our beloved colleague, but nothing excuses the behaviour that happened in the house last night.”

Earlier in the week the House heard a series of tributes for the late Green MP Efeso Collins, who died suddenly earlier this year. And on Wednesday outgoing co-leader James Shaw gave his valedictory speech in the house. Meanwhile, an investigation into Green MP Darleen Tana has passed six weeks.