New Zealand Speaker David Carter ejects female members of Parliament. Screenshot from TV NZ.
The speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, David Carter, sparked outcry after he ejected several female members of Parliament [1]who had been trying to disclose that they were victims of sexual assaults.
The clash followed Prime Minster John Key's attack on opposition members for “backing the rapists” over the controversial detention of New Zealand citizens [2] in Australia. They are waiting on appeals against their deportation, which applies to those who have had gaol terms of more than one year.
The prime minister insisted that majority of New Zealand citizens detained in Australia were convicted for murder and rape.
Some female members of Parliament felt offended by the remarks of the prime minister and demanded an apology from the leader. Some came forward to testify that they were victims of sexual violence but they were stopped by the speaker.
If you wonder why sexual assault victims don’t speak up, just note how Speaker Carter dismissed those who did https://t.co/MwsiciB1XW [3]
— Philip Fierlinger (@skyrize) November 11, 2015 [4]
Paul Williams expressed feelings that were being shared widely under the Twitter hashtag #SacktheSpeaker [5]:
Disgusted with our government right now https://t.co/aejQLA4Q6h [6] #sackthespeaker [7]
— Paul Williams (@paulwilliamsnz) November 11, 2015 [8]
Many have been concerned that the issue of sexual assault has been diminished by its use for political point scoring:
Trivalising rape is easy, coming forward is hundreds times harder #SackTheSpeaker [9] #HoldKeyAccountable [10]
— rediscoveringcabot (@anderson_rosie) November 11, 2015 [11]
Eleni Grace agreed, sharing a Greens Party video of the attempted disclosures in parliament.
Rape is not something to be trivialised #1in4 [12] women @JohnKeyPM [13] you seem to need the reminder #sackthespeaker [7] https://t.co/Ya8QBqHBa1 [14]
— Eleni Grace (@this_isnt_eleni) November 11, 2015 [15]
Speaker David Carter has had his supporters with some questioning the integrity of those expressing outrage over the incident:
Tired of faux outrage, members heckling other members on the way to Parliament, and grandstanding by throwing tantrums and walking out #nzqt [16]
— James Halcrow (@JimmyHalcrow) November 11, 2015 [17]
Allan Buxton did not pull any punches in his criticism:
Those MP's who just made those points of order to get thrown out are nothing but scum. #NZQT [18]. I know that sounds harsh but it's a fact IMHO
— Allan Buxton (@RamjamNZ) November 11, 2015 [19]
To judge by the handle, ArrestJK is no friend of Prime Minister Key and would like to see another form of democracy applied:
Now that #nzqt [16] seems to be the top rating reality show, can we start to vote people off it? John Key or David carter tough choice #nzpol [20]
— ArrestJK (@ArrestJK) November 12, 2015 [21]
Matthew Codd suggested an even more creative solution:
Launch John Key and David Carter into the sun.
— Matthew Codd (@MC_Odd) November 12, 2015 [22]
Anyway, it is a fair bet that the New Zealand speaker does not top the national Twitter trends very often:
David Carter is now trending TOP in NewZealand. Visit https://t.co/MSDhFJQIZV [23] for Top videos in your area pic.twitter.com/zwMMbKcfkH [24]
— Trendsinnewzealand (@newzealandtrenz) November 11, 2015 [25]