Dunne gives Mallard 'lifetime award' for bad behaviour

United Future leader Peter Dunne isn't producing his annual list of Parliament's most badly behaved MPs this year, but says there's one exception he couldn't ignore - Labour's Trevor Mallard.

Mr Dunne said today that under Speaker Lockwood Smith bad behaviour in the House had virtually dried up, with one notable exception.

"Labour MP Trevor Mallard. Such is his regularly poor behaviour that it's time to confer a Lifetime Achievement Award on him for services to melodrama, fisticuffs and generally aberrant behaviour," said Mr Dunne.

"He has been expelled from the House at least twice this year and has been required to withdraw and apologise on a number of occasions, but even his outbursts are well down on previous years."

Mr Mallard's response was brief.

"I gave up responding to Peter a number of years ago. I intend continuing with that policy."