Aaron Dahmen: Trevor Mallard controversy, Christchurch terror attack report, and White Island anniversary

Speaker Trevor Mallard's false 'rape' claim about a Parliament staffer has cost taxpayers more than $333,000 to resolve and National says it has now lost confidence in him.The bill included a $158,000 ex-gratia payment to the former staffer to settle the defamation claim - and more than $175,000 was spent on legal fees.Mallard issued a public apology to the staffer this week, which was released the afternoon of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terror attacks.The Speaker said that some of his comments gave the "impression that allegations made against that individual in the context of the Francis Review amounted to rape".The staffer was stood down in May after Mallard's comments but an investigation later found no wrongdoing.The man then sought to sue Mallard for defamation, seeking damages of $400,000 and exemplary damages of $50,000.The $333,641.70 cost of settling the defamation case settlement were released to National in answers to written parliamentary questions.National leader Judith Collins said the party had now lost confidence in Mallard.Newstalk ZB political reporter Aaron Dahmen joined Francesca Rudkin to discuss the fallout, as well as a week of remembrance and reflection on the Christchurch terror attacks and the White Island eruption.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.