Key Takeaways
- Parliament’s Speaker Gerry Brownlee has shut the public gallery for the rest of the year due to pro-Palestine protests
- The decision was made to ensure the safety of MPs after protesters disrupted proceedings and indicated further action
- Only those with Parliamentary swipe cards will be allowed into the public gallery until next year
- The protests were led by the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, who claimed responsibility and urged supporters to gather on Parliament’s forecourt
- Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer faced criticism for filming the protest from her seat and sharing it on social media
Introduction to the Incident
Parliament’s Speaker Gerry Brownlee has made the decision to shut the public gallery for the remainder of the year, citing concerns for the safety of MPs. This move comes after a group of pro-Palestine protesters disrupted proceedings in the chamber, shouting and throwing papers at MPs. The protesters, who were eventually removed by security guards, had indicated that they intended to take further action, prompting Brownlee to take drastic measures to prevent any potential harm to those in the chamber.
The Protest and Its Aftermath
The protest, which was led by the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, saw around a dozen individuals delay Question Time on Tuesday, chanting "free Palestine" and showering MPs with leaflets. The protesters were eventually removed by security guards, with at least one being dragged across the seats as they continued to yell. Brownlee watched the scene unfold in silence, before brushing it off as "performative art" and moving on with the proceedings. However, the incident clearly had a significant impact on the Speaker, who later announced the decision to close the public gallery to the public for the rest of the year.
Reasoning Behind the Decision
Brownlee stated that the decision to shut the public gallery was "very disappointing" but necessary, given the potential risks to the safety of MPs. He warned that if a protester had fallen into the chamber while being removed, it could have had "catastrophic results". The Speaker also announced that he was investigating whether the protesters had been meeting with anyone at Parliament ahead of the action, and that those involved had been trespassed from the premises for two years. The move to close the public gallery means that only those with Parliamentary swipe cards will be allowed to enter until next year, when Parliament is set to return in late January.
Reaction from Politicians and Protesters
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa claimed responsibility for the protest and urged supporters to gather on Parliament’s forecourt on Wednesday afternoon. The group’s spokesperson wrote on social media, "Let’s give our government the message LOUD & CLEAR that they have betrayed our collective values and humanity by their complicity with Israel’s." Meanwhile, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer faced criticism for filming the protest from her seat and sharing it on social media with a message of solidarity. Brownlee described the move as "totally inappropriate" and stated that he had been assured the video had since been taken down.
Implications and Future Actions
The decision to shut the public gallery has significant implications for the transparency and accessibility of Parliament. While the move is intended to ensure the safety of MPs, it also limits the ability of the public to engage with the democratic process. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the government and pro-Palestine groups, and it is likely that further protests and actions will take place in the coming months. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be important to monitor the response of the government and the actions of protest groups, and to consider the potential impact on the democratic process and the rights of citizens to express their views.