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Parliament Act 2025

Parliamentary privilege - Other provisions relating to parliamentary privilege - Contempt

30: House of Representatives cannot imprison for contempt

You could also call this:

"The House of Representatives can't put you in prison for being disrespectful."

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You cannot be put in prison by the House of Representatives for contempt. The House of Representatives does not have the power to imprison someone for contempt. This rule still applies even if other laws or rules say something different, and it does not affect Part 7.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1537150.

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29: House of Representatives may impose fine for contempt of House of Representatives, or

"The House of Representatives can fine you up to $1,000 if you disrespect them."

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Part 2Parliamentary privilege
Other provisions relating to parliamentary privilege: Contempt

30House of Representatives cannot imprison for contempt

  1. The House of Representatives has no power to order that any person be imprisoned for a contempt of the House determined by the House to have been committed by that person.

  2. This section—

  3. does not limit or affect Part 7:
    1. applies despite any other legislation or rule of law.