Will's Word: Stop the personal attacks on Karen Chhour

This is a transcript from Will’s Word on Friday, 2nd of August.

Am I the only one who is sick of the personal attacks on Act MP Karen Chhour?

We spoke to the Children's Minister a few months ago on this show asking how she had been dealing with some of the horrible rhetoric she’d been subjected to. At the time Labour MP Willow Jean Prime called her a sellout while Te Pati Maori said she had a disconnection and disdain for her own people.

Who the hell are they to tell Chhour if she's enough or not, or to criticise her in that way?

Fast forward to this week, and the Minister broke down in tears saying she felt bullied.

It is totally unacceptable and absolutely appalling behaviour. I grew up getting that kind of rhetoric myself. I was always told you’re not Maori enough, or you’re not Pacific enough. I’m sick of that kind of talk, it’s childish – and worse it's coming from some MPs.

I’ve had the chance to speak with Chhour a few times, and I think she’s one of the few people in Parliament who actually wants to make a difference, and has a hell of a lot more lived experience than some of the naysayers.

It is outrageous that the opposition has seen fit to question Chhour's upbringing and identity, focusing on her personal experiences. Who are they to judge the validity of her background? It’s an attack on her dignity and a gross abuse of their position.

And it’s not just the opposition here. This week National MP Tood Mcclay said to Green MP Ricardo Menendez March quote, you’re not in Mexico now. What on earth is going on in Parliament? That rhetoric is simply unacceptable too.

Parliament should be a place where every member is treated with respect and dignity, not a battleground for personal vendettas.

It’s as simple as that…