Liam Hehir: Political Commentator on the Te Pati Māori suspension debate - Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Parliament's Speaker will hold all the power in today's vote on three Te Pati Māori MPs. 

The Privileges Committee's proposing 21-day suspensions for the party's leaders, and a seven-day suspension for MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for their behaviour at last year's Treaty Principles Bill vote.  

The public gallery will be closed for safety and security reasons. 

Political Commentator Liam Hehir told Ryan Bridge the punishment is unprecedented but so is the offence. 

He says the suspension needs to be looked at in the context that these were never before seen actions. 

Hehir says it's an unusual situation, as the debate technically has no time limit.  

He says Speaker Gerry Brownlee has the unique ability to regulate how long people speak, tell them if they're repeating themselves and close off debate. 

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