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Defamation Act 1992

Defences - Absolute privilege

13: Absolute privilege in relation to proceedings in Parliament

You could also call this:

"You're safe to talk about what happens in Parliament without being sued."

Illustration for Defamation Act 1992

When you talk about things said or done in Parliament, you are protected by something called absolute privilege. This means you cannot be sued for defamation when you discuss what happens in Parliament. You are also protected if you broadcast what happens in Parliament live on television or radio. If a document is published by or for the House of Representatives, it is protected by absolute privilege. This includes official reports of what happens in Parliament, which are published by the House of Representatives or because of a law. You are also protected if you publish a correct copy of one of these documents. The term 'proceedings in Parliament' has the same meaning as in section 13 of the Parliament Act 2025. This helps you understand what is protected by absolute privilege. You can feel safe when you talk about what happens in Parliament, because you are protected by this law.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM281224.

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Part 2Defences
Absolute privilege

13Absolute privilege in relation to proceedings in Parliament

  1. Proceedings in Parliament are protected by absolute privilege.

  2. Any live broadcast, by any broadcaster, of proceedings in Parliament is protected by absolute privilege.

  3. The following publications are protected by absolute privilege:

  4. the publication, by or under the authority of the House of Representatives, of any document:
    1. the publication, to the House of Representatives, of any document, either by presenting the document to, or laying the document before, the House of Representatives:
      1. the publication, by or under the authority of the House of Representatives, or under the authority of any enactment, of an official or authorised report of proceedings in Parliament:
        1. the publication of a correct copy of any document or record to which paragraph (a) or paragraph (c) applies.

          1. Proceedings in Parliament, in this section, has the same meaning as in section 13 of the Parliament Act 2025.

          Compare
          • 1954 No 46 ss 18, 19
          Notes
          • Section 13 heading: amended, on , by section 34(2) of the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014 (2014 No 58).
          • Section 13(1): amended, on , by section 34(3) of the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014 (2014 No 58).
          • Section 13(2): amended, on , by section 34(3) of the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014 (2014 No 58).
          • Section 13(3)(c): amended, on , by section 34(4) of the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014 (2014 No 58).
          • Section 13(4): inserted, on , by section 34(5) of the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014 (2014 No 58).
          • Section 13(4): amended, on , by section 51 of the Parliament (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 63).