The National Party have provided another headache today despite the Government making good on their promise to back Anne Tolley as Deputy Speaker.
National MP Anne Tolley was elected Deputy Speaker today, a move that was supported by the Government initially to ensure Trevor Mallard would smoothly take up the role of Speaker.
That did not go to plan, with National making last minute strikes yesterday to disrupt Mr Mallard becoming Speaker for political gain, ensuring an additional 13 seats in select committees.
National's Shadow Leader of the House Simon Bridges said on TVNZ 1's Breakfast this morning they were "just testing the competence of the Government, and what became quite clear was they didn't know the rules and they didn't know their numbers".
He said New Zealanders expect them to govern, not play silly parla-games.
This morning Mr Hipkins was adamant Labour "thought there was some goodwill there, there clearly wasn't".
"Lesson learnt, they won't catch us out on that ever again in the future."
But National did catch them out.
"I am very pleased to confirm the Government will certainly be supporting the nomination of Hon. Anne Tolley because we think she's the best person for the job," Mr Hipkins said today.
Right after Ms Tolley had been elected, the Government moved to elect Labour MP Poto Williams as Assistant Speaker.
Mr Bridges then threw another spanner in the works by questioning Ms William's eligibility.
Mr Bridges had a point of order to highlight the rule that a member that does not take the oath of affirmation is not able to sit or vote in the House.
"And secondly... Standing order 16, a member's absence has to be for extraordinary circumstances beyond his or her control.
New Speaker Mr Mallard, on his first day in the job, responded that Ms Williams was absent on Parliament business and was eligible to be elected.
As Mr Bridges continued to push his case, Mr Mallard interrupted saying: "I have ruled, the Member will takes his seat".
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