Kedgley takes final swing at Parliament

ROSS GIBLIN/Fairfax NZ

GONE: Sue Kedgley has made her valedictory speech in Parliament today.

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Parliament is an "old boys' club" and is often out of touch with the modern world, Green MP Sue Kedgely said in her valedictory speech this evening.

She has been a Green MP since 1999 and before that was a Wellington City councillor for seven years.

The retiring MP said animal welfare, food safety and public transport had been among the key issues she had fought for.

In particular she was proud of saving the Overlander train service and of raising issues around pig sow crates.

The Greens were now swimming with the current over many issues, she said.

"We've even managed to break down the stereotype of Morris dancing, mung beans and sandals."

However, she believed Parliament needed an overhaul to bring it up-to-date.

Those outside Parliament found much of the goings-on there "childish and off-putting", she said.

"I despair about the polarised and confrontational way we so often do business in this House. Much of this time it's like guerrilla warfare."

She quoted from a report written by a group of 14-year-olds who had watched question time and suggested there needed to be more effort to work together.

"Much of the time no one has really been listening to our debates."

In particular she called for greater independence of the Speaker, through a free vote of Parliament.

Kedgley also wanted a review of media ownership laws and more transparency over the "growing influence of corporate lobbyists".

Kedgley has an MA in political science, worked as a television producer, has written several books and worked for the United Nations in New York.

She is married to Denis Foot and has a 20-year-old son.

- © Fairfax NZ News