Labour's Willie Jackson is suggesting the National Party has "form" on breaking parliamentary rules like Green MP Julie Anne Genter did earlier this week.
Genter has apologised for waving a book in the face of Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey in the House on Wednesday.
Newshub revealed on Thursday it wasn't the first time Genter allegedly intimidated someone, with a Wellington florist claiming the Green MP put a phone in her face and yelled at her.
"[It's] very unfortunate, what happened the other night," Jackson said on AM's Friday political panel.
He acknowledged the behaviour was "unacceptable" but added: "Let's not forget, National have got form on this too."
"I don't know if you remember but Jami-Lee Ross walked across [the debating chamber] ... It never makes it OK but let's not pretend it hasn't happened before," Jackson told AM host Melissa Chan-Green.
It's unclear what incident Jackson was referring to although Ross, a controversial former National MP, did yell at then-committee chair Adrian Rurawhe during a debate in 2017. Parliament TV footage and transcripts show Rurawhe repeatedly telling MPs to "sit down" but no evidence of Ross walking across the chamber.
Nonetheless, Jackson said Genter's behaviour was "still unacceptable".
"I think everybody's made their view clear on this and the Greens... and Parliament will go through their process."
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson said on Thursday Genter was "capable of doing awesome things" but "she can never behave in this way again, and we'll be making sure of that".
