Parliamentary Debate

ELECTION OF SPEAKER

Rt Hon. J B BOLGER (Prime Minister): May I have the privilege of being the first to congratulate you on your election to the office of the Speaker of our Parliament, and, in doing so, endorse the remarks that you made in terms of how you propose to carry out your Speakership in the unique circumstances in which you find yourself. I was also prompted to take a note of the way in which you concluded your speech, and to say that if one of the innovations that you are to suggest to our Parliament is to have a waiata after each speech, then indeed not only will we test the singing capacity of individual members but also we will have to do something about the length of the debate.

But I say, as your mover and your seconder both alluded to, that in our judgment---I am sure in the judgment of the House---it is not only a great privilege to have you in the chair, but also a privilege to have one of our indigenous people, our Maori people, grace the chair of Parliament, the supreme body that rules over New Zealand, at the concluding stage of the twentieth century.

I am certain that you will welcome robust debate, because you were not frightened of it yourself during the times that you took part in debates in this House. But I know that you will want that debate to be informed, and at least primarily constructive. I think that perhaps you will allow some digression from time to time as members come to adjust to the new circumstances, and perhaps you might give them a little time. Can I suggest that what the House has seen this morning is perhaps but an indication that not all have yet been enamoured with the new approach that we are told to take in this Parliament, which is to be constructive and co-operative. Consensus is a word I have heard many times since the election but perhaps that will take just a little longer. I do not expect that members will sit around here holding each other's hands as in a seance, waiting for something to emerge. So I am sure that robust debate will be part of this Parliament.

Mr Speaker-elect, I am sure that the integrity that we all acknowledge as part of your character, and the inherent fairness that is equally part of your character, will ensure that robust debate is not only permitted but also channelled in a way that will bring the House to some constructive conclusions at the end of those debates.

In passing, can I allude to a small defect that I have. As your predecessor will advise you in due course, during the time that he held the position as Speaker of Parliament---a position he carried out, as you correctly said, with skill, fairness, and impartiality---he mentioned from time to time that he thought I had a hearing defect. I do have difficulty with my left ear when I am speaking in the direction of the rear of the Chamber, and if occasionally I do not hear you, please forgive me in advance, but I will endeavour to correct that, over time.

I congratulate you, and I wish you every success in the responsibilities you now assume to ensure that the Parliament of the New Zealand people conducts its business in a fair and constructive fashion. I wish you well.