Business Statement

Next week the House will go into a 2-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday 10 June, it is the intention to make progress on the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill, the Industry New Zealand and Trade New Zealand Integration Bill, the Crimes Amendment Bill (No 6), and the third reading of the Minimum Wage Amendment Bill. The first Wednesday, of course, is a members’ day. Over the next sitting period, it is also the Government’s intention to conclude the debates on the performance and current operations of Crown entities, public organisations, and State enterprises, and the Appropriation (2002/03 Supplementary Estimates) Bill, including the second reading of an Imprest Supply Bill.

I wonder whether the Leader of the House might give us some indication of when the Responsible Gambling Bill will be coming back before the House. There is quite a bit of public concern about it, particularly in the sporting community. A number of letters are coming out of the various trusts affected by this, stating that they are unable to make grants for summer sport pending the legislation being passed. Can the Minister indicate when he might let the sporting community of New Zealand know just when the bad news is to hit?

I can tell those bodies that they can proceed. There is no reason to believe the canards put about by some that the Government will grab the money. There is no intention to move such an amendment.