Unhelpful
June 21st, 2009 at 9:10 am by David FarrarThe HoS reports:
A Government MP has been reprimanded for lewd conduct just weeks after the resignation of National’s Richard Worth.
Act MP David Garrett was spoken to by party leader Rodney Hide after making sexual comments to a female member of the party’s Parliamentary office.
Hide said last night he had cause to speak to Garrett after learning the fledgling MP had made “off-colour” remarks. He said he hoped the incident would not lead to the end of Garrett’s career as a member of Parliament. …
Hide said the matter could be escalated to the Parliamentary Service – which employs the staff member – if there was a formal complaint. He had met with the staff member to assure her any complaint she made would be handled properly.
Hide said Garrett was “a guy who has come from a rough, tough background”.
“I explained to him we set high standards in our Parliament across all parties.
“It is a learning experience in becoming an MP. I said it is good he can learn quickly – because he has to.”
Act president Michael Crozier said he had been unaware of the incident but expected a report to be made to the party’s board when it next met in a few weeks. “David has a lot to learn. He really hasn’t been in the Parliamentary side of politics before. You have to learn quick.”
University of Otago political scientist Bryce Edwards said Hide could not be faulted for his handling of the incident. But he said the incident was a “blow” for Act and the National Government.
Rodney sounds pretty unimpressed. As he said, you need to learn quickly what you can and can’t say when you are an MP. That’s one reason I’ll never be an MP – my sense of humour is far far too black to survive such a standard.
Tags: David Garrett
June 21st, 2009 at 9:20 am
This is HIS second strike – remember Garrett, three strikes and you’re out. That is your policy, isn’t it?
Homosexuals = paedophiles – strike one
Hey baby, come up and see my etchings -strike two.
Prime Minister John Key was briefed on the incident yesterday afternoon. A spokeswoman said he would be making no comment on an MP from another party.
Wishy washy Key again – man up!
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:43 am
I’ll put money on someone in ACT, probably Hide himself, leaking this. He must be delighted. You gotta love his leading comment “Gee I hope this doesn’t lead to him losing his job!”
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:46 am
As I told the Herald on Sunday, this is the second major sleaze factor coming into the government. It’s a blow for the Government because it soon becomes a branding issue – it becomes ‘a government of sleaze’. This is a very dangerous public perception that will come to be entrenched if more such activity becomes apparent.
There was always a major danger for Act in parachuting Garrett into the top 5. He was fairly untested, incredibly rough, and clearly a gamble. They just gambled on his high profile being a vote magnet, but I suspect that some Act people are having some major regrets these days. Some shortcuts are clearly not worth it, but I guess that reflects the level of desperation and lack of talent that was available to the party last year.
Bryce
Vote:http://www.liberation.org.nz
June 21st, 2009 at 9:57 am
Hide reminded me of the preacher in “Blazing Saddles”.. a token defence of the “nigger” about to be hung and then “You’re on your own, son!”
JC
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 10:17 am
I don’ geddit?
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 10:34 am
You could be a labor MP DPF… lol
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 10:39 am
Who the hell cares? We all do this everyday,(oh no not you boring,pc shouting lefty liberals, you just do it surreptitiously but at the end of the day you still want to get your share.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 10:48 am
“my sense of humour is far far too black to survive such a standard.”
Agreed.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:04 am
The first rule of politics is would you like your behavior to be on the front pages of the newspapers?? And until you learn how to risk it – be very careful.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:10 am
What a load of horse shit. Some of the best and most loved politicians the world over are often seen as flamboyant if they are prone to gaffs, like a bit of arse (opposite sex) or use colourful language. What this country does not need is a bunch of mindless sterile politicians to scared to say or do anything least they offend the God of political correctness. In fact it’s probably way past time many were offended, time to call some bluffs.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:13 am
“What a load of horse shit”
The Progressives are out to get Garret Bob.
He doesn’t buy into their world view, so he’s persona non grata.
Just watch.
There’ll be a lot more of the same sort of contrivance.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:13 am
Who is this Otago political scientist who says the incident will be a a “blow” for Act and the National Government? Don’t see how you can blame Key and the Nats for this. See last paragraph at the following link.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10579740
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:17 am
The perpetually outraged woosers strike again. We are continually told you can determine your own sexual morality and yet suddenly there is a boilerplate standard that everyone must adhere to. Which is it?
Pathetic.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:22 am
“# stephen (2746) Vote: Add rating 0 Subtract rating 2 Says:
June 21st, 2009 at 10:17 am
I’ll put money on someone in ACT, probably Hide himself, leaking this. He must be delighted.
I don’ geddit?
”
i.e a lot of loyal ACT members, are not getting involved with ACT anymore due to Garrett, myself included.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:24 am
“i.e a lot of loyal ACT members, are not getting involved with ACT anymore due to Garrett, myself included.”
Good. You’re just a one issue (special treatment for queers) loser anyway.
Form your own damn party.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:43 am
Yeah hopefully Garrett goes – enough with the conservative populism thanks.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am
BillyB, our resident Labour apologist, in his post at the start of this thread said “Wishy washy Key again – man up”.
That is reponse to the statement by his spokesman that he wouldn’t be making comment on the matter given that the Garrett was from another (albeit Govt support) Party.
So pray tell BillyB, when did your dearly beloved H1 ever deign to criticise Winston First when he was playing fast and loose with the truth and other things? …. why didn’t Helen ‘man up’ … shouldn’t have been hard.
Pot this is kettle … come in kettle.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 12:06 pm
FFS just what constitutes “off-colour remarks” these days?
“How you getting on with the Goa purchase” (-yeah, we all know what that means!!!!)
…………or could it be something dreadful like
“You are my favourite new best friend to use a Facebook expression. RWW” – digraceful
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Ross Miller (1150) Vote: 3 1 Says:
June 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am
BillyB, our resident Labour apologist,
Once again Ross Miller shows a)his stupidity, b) his inability to comprehend opposing one does not mean supporting the other and c) he doesn’t think, he simply labels.
Show me where I am a labour appologist.
He then compounds his stupidity with So pray tell BillyB, when did your dearly beloved H1… firstly by simply parroting the right’s name calling and b) by accusing me of something for which there is NO proof whatsoever. I have pposted here many times with opposition to Labour’s past errors, but Ross doesn’t seem to have noticed there is a new government in town and they are the ones to take the flack now.
Ross, as I have said to many others before on this blog – PROVE your accusations and I’ll donate $100 to a charity of DPF’s choice.
Now, put up or shut up, girlyman.
Vote:
June 21st, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Ross, why the hell bother with this useless narcissist???
You realise you just made his day???
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 12:44 pm
“# Redbaiter (6566) Vote: Add rating 5 Subtract rating 10 Says:
June 21st, 2009 at 11:24 am
“i.e a lot of loyal ACT members, are not getting involved with ACT anymore due to Garrett, myself included.”
Good. You’re just a one issue (special treatment for queers) loser anyway.
Form your own damn party.”
Once again, Redbaiter mentions “queers” when its completely irrelavent… is redbaiter a closet “queer” ? there seems to be a lot of pent up “queer” angst..
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Gueez BillyB … you said “show me where I am a Labour apologist” and “prove your accusations and I will donate $100 to a charity of DPF’s choosing”.
Ok … how many of your posts along the lines of ‘Labour Good – National Bad’ will you accept as proof you are a Labour apologist … 19, 20 ,30 50. Name your number.
Also, you agree to the $100 going to the Ex-Vietnam Services Associatuion (Neville Wallace Memorial) Children’s & Grandchildren’s Trust (an outstanding charity).
p.s. you protest too much about the namecalling bit with your “girlyman” comment. Sad
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 12:59 pm
“A blow”
Yeah right, unless you’re a brainless TV3 News employee looking for another left-wing talking point to thrash on the news tonight.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Ross, how many do you think you can find? I say none.
And the choice of charity will be DPF’s, the money paid via him.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Ross, why lower yourself to Borker’s level? Get a grip man. He’s a worthless brain damaged attention seeking coward and not worth one tap on your keyboard. You’re bringing yourself down.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 1:16 pm
reddy, Ross would do well to raise himself to my level of honesty and decent standards. He could also use a bit of education in reading and comprehension. But sadly, he’ll rwmain what he is – an undereducated, underachieving rightwhinger.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
’tis surely time someone told ALL parliamentary staff to just fucking grow up.
Side Show Bob, , your 11:10 sums it up nicely.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
“But sadly, he’ll rwmain what he is – an undereducated, underachieving rightwhinger.”
You foul ignorant POS.
—————————
Mr Miller is a retired Army officer, now living at Victoria Valley, with a long record of community involvement.
He was Bursar at King’s College in Auckland from 1989 to 2003, and is only the second person to be granted honorary life membership of the Association of the Friends of King’s College.
He has worked tirelessly on behalf of Vietnam veterans who fell victim to Agent Orange and their families, he was also involved in the health select committee enquiry into that issue and supported the process that resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Crown, the Ex-Vietnam Services Association and the RSA.
He helped establish and now chairs the Neville Wallace Memorial Children’s and Grandchildren’s Trust which provides financial support to the offspring of Vietnam veterans.
He has received a congratulatory letter from Prime Minister John Key, saying that New Zealand’s success as a nation relies on citizens from all walks of life stepping forward, helping others, seeking new ways of doing things and reaching for their dreams.
“You have made an outstanding contribution to that success and enriched the lives of us all,” Mr Key wrote.
“This honour gives the people you have touched the chance to show their appreciation for your hard work, your dedication and your achievements.”
“It also gives the New Zealand public the opportunity to recognise your efforts.”
—————————
I believe his son in law is also a commander on one of the NZ Navy’s fighting ships.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 1:35 pm
So, to summarise-
He never held a real job, he was for a time on the public payroll and then accepted largesse from the pampered and privileged.
He believes that the perpetrators are the victims.
He basks in reflected glory of the achievements of others.
Is this what you’re trying to say?
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Show us where David Garrett states homosexuals = paedophiles
He may well have stated the fact that homosexuals offend against underage children at a far greater rate than heterosexuals. No doubt homosexual activists and their liberal supports will claim that I just stated that all homosexuals are paedophiles.
The fact is that they are fewer child sexual abuse victims of homosexuals than heterosexuals. However, homosexuals make up 2 to 3% of the male population. Therefore they offend at rate greatly disproportionate to their numbers in the population.
We are so PC about this fact that we are putting young boys at risk. See article below.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10579641
Just see the treatment the mother got when she complained to the police.
If Garrett is censored for making crude or lewd remarks in front of or about woman and naming the woman fair enough. However, he should not be condemned for honestly held opinion backed up by fact even if they offend a small but vocal section of the community.
I would like someone to tell me why it is okay say that Maori commit violent criminal offences at a rate greatly disproportionate to their number in the community but not okay to state that homosexuals commit sexual criminal offences against minors at a rate greatly disproportionate to their number in the community.
I bet I will not get an answer but just name calling.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Show us where David Garrett states homosexuals = paedophiles
According to the NZ Hearald, on Eye to Eye.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10543271
Unlike Ross Miller, I stand by, and can back up, my comments.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Thanks MikeE. Seems unlikely that we’ll see an effect until the next election though.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I have already read the article. Show is the quote.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 3:26 pm
DPF said “That’s one reason I’ll never be an MP – my sense of humour is far far too black to survive such a standard.”
Use of the word ‘black’ to mean something negative= racist
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Redbaiter … thanks for that but I prefer to fight my own battles and you do embarrass me by quoting from a newspaper story which I thought was somewhat over the top.
BillyB … so in addition to being an arsehole you denegrate all those who have ever pulled on the Queens uniform. Proud of that are you. Guess you were one of those who spat on 161 Bty when they paraded down Queen Street on their return from South Vietnam.
And unlike you I choose not to hide behind a pseudonym and I guess thats one of our many differences.
But I do agree with Redbaiter that in debating you and yours one needs to get into the sewer.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Ross, once again you have nothing except name calling and assumption.
“Guess you were one of those who spat on 161 Bty …”
No, I wasn’t.
I notice your utter failure to prove your earlier lies about me.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Billy, I hope it was not you that gave me negative Karma instead of supplying the quote.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
There is another incident I have been advised of re Garrett making an inappropriate comment to a Green Party staffer whom he didn’t even know. Not sexual harrassment in that instance, but a >racist comment.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I have wondered about David Garrett since his comments re prison double bunking. He should remember the Kiwi Keith formula and breathe through his nose for his first three years in Parliament.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
FFS Toad, that’s just lame- it’s about as racist as observing maori are over represented in the crime statistics. (heres a clue – it’s the truth!)
Vote:Garrett may be a little loose lipped for a new MP but the days of politically correct MP’s are numbered
June 21st, 2009 at 8:12 pm
FWIW, I agree with you both. Just ignore him.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
toad, billyb, et al:
Has David ‘silent T’ Cunliffe apologised for his racist lampooning of Pansy Wong’s accent yet?
Thought not…….
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 8:19 pm
“the days of politically correct MP’s are numbered’
halleluyah to that!
Does that mean we can start laughing at Irish jokes again too?
I certainly hope so.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I’ll withhold judgment on what Garrett said/did till we hear precisely what it was. But Rodney Hide’s judgment is normally pretty well tuned so if he’s concerned it’s probably a little bit more than “come up and see my etchings”.
However, if it’s as bad as Rodney’s hinting, then Garrett is on his third, not second strike.
1. Homosexuals = paedophiles (as referenced above)
2. Being raped in prison is all part of the punishment (“if you don’t want to be assaulted – or worse – by a cellmate, avoid prison by not committing a crime”)
Then there’s a multitude of other ignorant gaffes and tactical errors that toad alludes to (though I personally don’t put them into the same category of pig-ignorant bigotry as the examples I’ve cited above.
Come on Rodney… even the people who loathe Act with a hatred bordering on the the obsessive could never conceive of you, Roger Douglas, Ken Shirley, Richard Prebble… indeed anyone ever elected as an Act MP… behaving like this. So why is this obnoxious little oik still in your caucus?
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Politically correct crap Rex.
You don’t agree with Garrets politics fine, but this pillorying of political opponents for “inappropriate” speech has to cease.
This is just Paul Henry and the mustache lady all over again.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:01 pm
“1. Homosexuals = paedophiles”
Rex, how about showing us the actual quote?
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:01 pm
The point that I don’t understand is…if she felt so powerless that she couldn’t “give back as good as she got” or told him to shut the f**k up, why didn’t she complain internally and have it dealt with in that way?
Why go straight to an external complaint…or the media?
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Was it a “while you’re down there” comment or something? If that is it, it’s so mild and joking, that the complainer (and not the person who had the comment made to) must be the senior sergant/chief inspector of the fun police.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:07 pm
toby1845 (171) Vote: 0 0 Says:
June 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
toad, billyb, et al:
Has David ’silent T’ Cunliffe apologised for his racist lampooning of Pansy Wong’s accent yet?
So, toby, in your world no one needs appologise for anything until everyone appologises for everything!
As Arthur Calwell said “Two Wongs don’t make a White”.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:08 pm
chuck, we gave you the reference, if you’re too lazy or stupid to follow, that’s your issue. How much do act pay you to run interference for them?
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Chuck Bird asks:
Because I try to keep my comments as short as I can and reference sources when I make a claim so people can click the link (which was the second time it had been inserted in comments on this page). However for those who haven’t yet mastered the art of clicking:
Jackson wasn’t the only one. Perhaps the nexct words out of Garrett’s mouth weren’t going to be “Paedophiles cannot be cured any better than homosexuals” but I suspect they were. It’s a pity Coddington couldn’t keep her mouth shut. As usual.
If that wasn’t where he was going then I’d like to know where that analogy was headed… if Garrett himself knew, of course, because that was the day he fronted up to a TV current affairs show drunk. There’s another strike, come to think of it.
Redbaiter:
This latest “scandal” may well be politically correct crap. If Garrett simply complimented a woman or even asked her out politely, then I agree. That’s why I said I’m withholding judgment.
My objection to his other comments have nothing to do with political correctness. I don’t want to be represented by a man who thinks it’s okay for a young man who’s been sentenced for some non-violent stupidity that young people get up to, to become the “prison bitch” of a Mongrel Mob member with whom he’s forced to double bunk for 12 hours a day.
Nor do I think someone dumb enough to equate paedophilia and homosexuality makes an especially effective MP (though on that score, I’ll grant you he’s by no means alone in the low IQ stakes when one looks around the debating chamber).
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:21 pm
billyborker “According to the NZ Hearald, on Eye to Eye.[David Garrett states homosexuals = paedophiles]
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-election-2008/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501799&objectid=10543271”
Rex Widerstrom “1. Homosexuals = paedophiles (as referenced above)”
Shit Rex did you even read the article BillyBonkers claims proves him right. At no stage did Garrett claim that Homosexuals = paedophiles and anyone claiming that he did is either stupid or lying. Garrett was comparing the attitutes people had to the two different groups – 30 years ago people thought gays had a disease that needed to be cured, but now society generally accepts homosexuality as a sexual orientation, today paedophilia is likened to a disease…. At no time did Garrett claim homosexuals were paedophiles or that they were equivalent.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
It is here Chuck!
Enjoy!
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Hagues, thank you for the sanity.
Sadly it’s wasted on the loony left. They won’t let the facts get in the way of a good mob lynching.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:29 pm
“Enjoy!”
There’s nothing there that confirms your claims.
Apologise for your cowardly false allegations.
Same old same old Stalinist shit.
Say it over and over again, and eventually the lie will be accepted as truth.
You people are just repellent in your obsession to attack by any means possible anyone you disagree with.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Toad
“Garrett: “Paedophiles, like homosexuals, 30 years ago homosexuals had, according to experts, a disease and they needed to be cured and it was a spectacular failure because homosexuality is a sexual orientation, so we decided that because there were 10 per cent of people who were homosexual it was no longer a disease. Paedophiles cannot be cured any better than …”
I guess he’s saying once you start making concessions for anti social behaviour where does it stop?
Look at communism – once upon a time you could get arrested for it – and look now – you greens have seats in the house !
……….suppose Garrett has a point
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Borker,you wanker.
Can see you now typing away,trying to invent a better life for yourself in print,but crap generally follows the animal it came from.
Your a fine example of Small Penis Syndrome,your probably typing naked as we speak.Go to bed and get a grip,it may make you think straighter.
Vote:June 21st, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Redbaiter suggests:
No, it’s not. Despite his best efforts Paul Henry couldn’t get elected in a region that was relaxed enough about its MPs to give a transexual former prostitude a go. Thankfully he’s not in Parliament and instead is reduced to desperate “look at me, look at me” stunts on a TV show most people consider a joke.
Paul Henry doesn’t influence the laws that apply to me, you and our families. David Garrett does. If only getting rid of him were as easy as operating the “off” switch.
Vote:June 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 am
Rex…..Danyl M was offering someone a tampon somewhere awhile back….In suggest you take up his offer….you sad wet c**t.
David Garretts worth ten of you anytime nancyboy.
Vote:June 22nd, 2009 at 7:20 am
Lilman:
I don’t know if this was inadvertent humour, but even if not, funny nevertheless
Vote:June 22nd, 2009 at 8:04 am
Billyborker, like Toad is desperately scraping the bottom of the barrel because they feel challenged by Garrett.
See what I did there? Did I say Toad was Billyborker or did I state that they are both just idiots. Where did Garrett compare homosexuals to paedos?
Err, I don’t believe as discussed before, that a “lot” of ACT members are not involved with ACT anymore because of David. I’m not his greatest fan but if one is going to leave a party because of one MP then that is a reflection of them and not the party. ACT will be better off without the flakes thank you very much. I hear Labour are looking for more activists
Vote:June 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 am
. . . scraping the bottom of the barrel because they feel challenged by Garrett.
Vote:As it’d be no stretch to poke both of the knuckle-dragging Garrett’s eyes out with one finger, that’s really saying something.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:32 am
Rex, thanks for your explanation. As I explained to BB I had already read the article. As others have explained comparing homosexuality to paedophilia is a lot different than say he said homosexuality = paedophilia. That is embellishing his comments considerably.
Vote:June 22nd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
“the fledgling MP had made “off-colour” remarks”
Does Garrotte ever make any other kind of remark?
The guy is just a big mouth. From the party with fewer votes than NZ First. Best ignored.
Vote:June 22nd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
If Garrett’s such a hard man, I’m sure a bling-encrusted backhander in the gob from the next woman he mouths off to will get the message across.
Vote: