Chlöe Swarbrick: Green Party co-leader on Darleen Tana's ousting from Parliament
Oct 22, 2024
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Chlöe Swarbrick, co-leader of the Green Party in New Zealand, dives into the significant ousting of MP Darleen Tana. She reflects on the emotional toll of the months-long process involving legal battles. Swarbrick expresses gratitude for moving forward and emphasizes the importance of enhanced candidate vetting within the party. The discussion also touches on the implications of local governance issues and the impact of having a Green Mayor in Wellington, showcasing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the party.
Chlöe Swarbrick expressed a mix of relief and sadness regarding the ousting of Darleen Tana, acknowledging the emotional toll of lengthy legal battles.
The discussion highlighted systemic issues in local governance, emphasizing that inadequate resources hinder local governments across New Zealand from effectively fulfilling their mandates.
Deep dives
Darlene's Departure from Parliament
The recent expulsion of Darlene from Parliament marks a significant development, triggered by the Greens' activation of the waka-jumping law. This means her position is now considered vacant, eliminating her status as a member of Parliament. Chloe Swarbrick, co-leader of the Greens, expressed mixed feelings about the situation, recognizing the relief of moving past a contentious process while acknowledging the sadness surrounding Darlene's removal. Despite the positive outcome for the party, Swarbrick emphasized the emotional toll of the legal struggles that had unfolded over several months.
Local Government Challenges in Wellington
The discussion surrounding the government's intervention in the Wellington City Council highlights ongoing issues within local governance, which have persisted regardless of the ruling party. Swarbrick pointed out that while Wellington faces unique dysfunctions, the broader problem remains that local governments across the country are inadequately resourced to fulfill their mandates. This lack of resources has been corroborated by past independent reviews, underscoring systemic issues rather than just localized failures. The Green Party’s connection to Wellington's leadership complicates the narrative, as it raises questions about their performance amidst these challenges.
The Greens are looking forward to moving ahead - as Darleen Tana's days in Parliament come to an end.
The party today confirmed Speaker Gerry Brownlee has officially ousted Tana after delegates unanimously voted to put the issue to him.
Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says she is grateful to draw a line under this.
"It's been a several months-long process that has obviously ensued the likes of legal battles and otherwise - which I don't think has been a nice situation for anybody that's been involved."