Charlie Kirk shot dead
NZ Parliament tribute to Charlie Kirk blocked
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour says the Opposition blocked an official motion in Parliament to pay respects to Charlie Kirk after he was assassinated in the US.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Seymour said Kirk's death had "struck a chord with New Zealanders".
"It's the bitter and tragic irony that a person promoting free speech, over political violence, was subject to political violence. This is resonating deeply with New Zealanders," he said.
He wanted Parliament to hear a statement noting the importance of freedom of expression and freedom from political violence, but he said the Labour and Green parties blocked the motion.
"They, for some reason, don't want to discuss this. I think that's a real shame on behalf of Labour and the Greens," Seymour said.
Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said there was no precedent for Parliament to pay tribute in this way for someone who was not an elected representative.
"Of course everyone feels absolute horror and empathy for what has happened here, but there are precedents in the House," she said.
A Green Party spokesperson shared a similar rationale: “It has not been a custom in our Parliament to note the deaths of political figures from overseas who have no clear connection to New Zealand. We didn't see a clear reason for making an exception for this particular case."
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Seymour said Kirk's death had "struck a chord with New Zealanders".
"It's the bitter and tragic irony that a person promoting free speech, over political violence, was subject to political violence. This is resonating deeply with New Zealanders," he said.
He wanted Parliament to hear a statement noting the importance of freedom of expression and freedom from political violence, but he said the Labour and Green parties blocked the motion.
"They, for some reason, don't want to discuss this. I think that's a real shame on behalf of Labour and the Greens," Seymour said.
Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said there was no precedent for Parliament to pay tribute in this way for someone who was not an elected representative.
"Of course everyone feels absolute horror and empathy for what has happened here, but there are precedents in the House," she said.
A Green Party spokesperson shared a similar rationale: “It has not been a custom in our Parliament to note the deaths of political figures from overseas who have no clear connection to New Zealand. We didn't see a clear reason for making an exception for this particular case."