Key points
- Trade Minister Todd McClay allegedly told MP Ricardo Menéndez March "you're not in Mexico now" during a debate over serious offender boot camps. The alleged remark was only audible to people inside Parliament's debating chamber.
- March, who was born in Mexico, said the remark was "xenophobic", "shocking", and "unbefitting" for someone who represented Kiwi trade overseas.
- McClay withdrew and apologised over the remark in Parliament. 1News asked the minister about the situation. A spokesperson said they had nothing to add.
Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March says he's "shocked" after Trade Minister Todd McClay made a remark about him in Parliament, saying it's "unbefitting" of his position representing New Zealand overseas.
The remark happened as MPs were debating the Government's plan to set up bootcamps or military-style academies for serious youth offenders.
McClay allegedly told March "you’re not in Mexico now, we don’t do things like that here", during a debate. The Green MP was born in Mexico before moving to New Zealand.
A spokesperson for the Trade Minister told 1News "no comment" when asked about the remark. Earlier, McClay stood, withdrew the remark and apologised over the issue in Parliament.
Speaking to media later, March called the comment from McClay "shocking" and "xenophobic".
"The National Party has people from migrant communities as well and I think someone who represents us on the world stage should not be saying things like that," he said.
"It's not just about how it affects someone like myself, it actually reflects on his views on migrant communities altogether."
Incident occurred during bootcamps debate
The interaction between March and the Cabinet Minister happened during Parliament's question time at about 2.30pm as the Green MP's colleague Tamatha Paul questioned Children's Minister Karen Chhour about her decision-making evidence.
After the minister responded to one of Paul's questions, March raised a point of order.
He said: "The question was very succinct and clear about what options were provided to the minister. She talked about previous attempts but at no point did she address any of the evidence or advice she would have been receiving."
As Speaker Gerry Brownlee responded to the comment, someone could be heard speaking in the background, followed by March exclaiming: "Excuse me!?"
McClay's exact remark itself could not be heard on the Parliament's video feeds.
Several minutes later, the Green MP raised a point of order on the comment, saying he had taken "personal offence" and had consulted the Clerk of the House.
March said: "After the point of order that I did in relationship to Tamatha Paul's question, Todd McClay, the Minister of Trade, threw a barb back saying — as best as I can understand — 'You're not in Mexico now. We don't do things like that here.'
"I've just consulted with Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Teanau [Tuiono] just to confirm the contents of that interjection. I just want you to know that I take personal offence to it."
Brownlee then said: "The Hon Todd McClay, was that an interjection that was offered across the house? And if it was, I would suggest he might withdraw and apologise."
The Trade Minister, who has been an MP since 2008, then withdrew and apologised. McClay also previously served in the portfolio under John Key's government.
'Shocking' — March on alleged remark
March said the alleged remark was "unbefitting" of a trade minister, but stopped short of saying McClay should resign his portfolio over the incident.
"I think he'll need to clarify what his stance is on the representation of migrant communities in Parliament, because it's not it wasn't just a single word, right?"
He added: "The standards here need to be about how our language can impact communities that face marginalisation on a day-to-day basis.
"I think what Todd McClay said is reflective of experiences from migrant communities that have to deal with that on public transport, when seeking housing, etc. That is why those things need to be challenged."
March said the comments themselves were "xenophobic" and "should have never been said out loud in the House".
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