Opposition Walks Out In Outrage (Press, 5 November 1976)

On 5 November 1976, a significant and dramatic incident occurred in the New Zealand Parliament, resulting in the Opposition walking out during a session. The event unfolded when Prime Minister Robert Muldoon accused Labour MP C. J. Moyle, the member for Mangere, of being apprehended by police for homosexual activities. This accusation came during Muldoon's reply to the second reading of the Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, prompting outrage from the Opposition. Before this explosive moment, Labour MP C. R. Marshall from Wanganui had delivered a strong critique of Muldoon, which led to the Prime Minister labelling him as the "Red reverend" and likening him to a representative of the Communist Party. Under pressure from Speaker Sir Roy Jack to withdraw this comment, Muldoon complied but noted that he assumed Marshall, a minister of the Methodist Church, had a conscience. Following this, Muldoon directed his remarks toward Moyle, who was laughing, saying he would overlook Moyle's "effeminate giggles" given his knowledge of Moyle's background. In response to Muldoon's accusations, Moyle requested a point of order, questioning whether it was appropriate to accuse the Prime Minister of being affiliated with an accountancy firm engaged in illegal practices. Muldoon countered by repeating his accusation against Moyle, which prompted a heated exchange. Moyle vehemently denied the allegation, stating, "That’s an absolute lie." The tension escalated to the point where members of the Opposition chose to leave the House in protest. As they exited, government members taunted them, suggesting that they were 'running away' and mocking the effectiveness of the Opposition. In a further display of the contentious atmosphere, National MP N. P. Jones joined the Opposition seats, which Muldoon remarked upon, indicating a fractious environment within the House. After the walkout, Leader of the Opposition, Bill Rowling, articulately expressed the Opposition’s disdain for Muldoon's conduct, characterising it as an expression of "absolute and utter contempt." Rowling emphasised the impact of Muldoon's statements on Moyle, indicating that such accusations shook him significantly. He questioned how a decent person could reasonably respond to such disrespectful comments, and characterised Muldoon's behaviour as vicious. The debate on the Appropriation (No. 2) Bill concluded shortly after the walkout, with committee stages passing in just two minutes. The House adjourned at 11.10 p.m., and the Labour MPs were left to deliberate whether to attend the following day’s session, scheduled for 9 a.m. Rowling indicated that future protests against the Prime Minister were under consideration, suggesting that the Labour caucus needed to discuss their response to the situation.

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