November 28, 2018
Bullying probe should extend to MPs
Former Alliance leader says an investigation into bullying in parliament needs to be extended to cover MPs.
Speaker Trevor Mallard has appointed independent reviewer Debbie Francis to look into whether has been bullying and harassment of parliamentary staff.
Ms Lee, who served three terms from 1993 to 2002, says parliament is the most cruel, toxic and vicious place she ever worked.
She told another former MP, Waatea host Claudette Hauiti, every Māori woman MP had similar stories.
"Our women are strong and we can take stuff, but having said that there is not one I have ever known, going right back to the sixties, who has ever come away that in their own quiet whānau environment didn't tell their stories of horrendous bullying, not just verbally, but in some cases even physically," Ms Lee says.
She says a change of culture is needed to end bullying in parliament.
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