Parata denies hitting staff member
Labour MP Trevor Mallard has questioned Education MInister Hekia Parata over whether she has ever struck a staff member.
Under parliamentary privilege in a select committee hearing, Mallard asked a series of questions including whether the Ministry of Education kept a record of physical violence in schools and whether there was any record of violence within the ministry.
He then asked Parata about the last time anyone was hit within her office.
Stuff
Parata offended by hitting question
Ms Parata was appearing before the Education and Science select committee on Wednesday to discuss education spending announced in the Budget in May.
Mr Mallard began asking about bullying in schools and at the Ministry of Education before turning his questions on the minister and her office. He asked if Ms Parata had ever hit a staff member.
Radio NZ
Key doubts Parta would lie to select committee
Speaking in Tonga yesterday, Mr Key said he accepted the word of his minister and she had said it did not take place. “She is not going to lie to a select committee.”
Ministerial Services, which employs ministerial office staff, would not say if any former staff member of Ms Parata’s claimed to have been hit. But it said that there had been a personal grievance from one of the staff who was employed in her office.