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Race or Gender No Excuse for Poor Behaviour of MPs, Says New Zealand Parliamentarian

MP Karen Chhour said women of colour should not be held to lower standards, after Green MP Golriz Gharaman was charged with shoplifting.
Race or Gender No Excuse for Poor Behaviour of MPs, Says New Zealand Parliamentarian
ACT Party MP Karen Chhour. Courtesy ACT NZ
Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
1/24/2024|Updated: 1/24/2024
0:00

An ACT MP who grew up “interacting with the state care system” has criticised those making excuses for the poor behaviour of MPs—particularly women of colour—blaming the “culture of Parliament” for their actions.

“Yes, being a member of Parliament can be difficult and stressful. Being in the public eye, the long hours away from family. But other jobs are hard, too. Running a small business can be extremely difficult,” MP Karen Chhour wrote in an opinion piece in The Press newspaper.
Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.
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