Labour defends referencing controversial column in Parliament

Thursday 15 May 2025 · 5 outlets · 4 reports · updated Thu 15 May 2025, 4:53pm

In this story Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, Brooke van Velden, Jan Tinetti

Labour has rejected claims of poor political judgment after referencing a column containing a slur during a pay equity debate. While some members defended the move, leader Chris Hipkins admitted the incident caused a distraction from the legislative issue.

How they headlined it

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9am4:23pm

1. Otago Daily TimesThu 15 May 2025, 9:00am

   Labour defends raising c-word column in House (opens in new tab)

2. 1News via RNZThu 15 May 2025, 9:07am

   Labour defends raising column as C-word debate spirals (opens in new tab)

   Also on RNZ (opens in new tab)

3. The Press via The PostThu 15 May 2025, 4:23pm

   Chris Hipkins admits mistake after Labour raised 'c...' column in House (opens in new tab)

4. StuffThu 15 May 2025, 4:53pm

   Labour contributed to ‘distraction’ on pay equity with question about column, Hipkins says (opens in new tab)