Business Statement

Next week in the House priority will be given to the remaining stages of the Supreme Court Bill and the New Organisms and Other Matters Bill, and progress will also be made on the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 3) and the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill. Wednesday is a members’ day.

I thank the Leader of the House for that indication of next week’s business. I would ask: at this time of the year, how many bills not yet showing on the Order Paper might he expect to see completed through all stages; has he set aside some time for the seabed and foreshore legislation to be considered prior to Christmas; and is there any likelihood of urgency in the next 2 weeks?

Yes, the House can anticipate urgency the week after next. As usual, that will finish by 6 o’clock Friday. In relation to the seabed and foreshore legislation, when it is ready, time will be made available. There are a limited number of bills to be passed that are not yet on the Order Paper. I think there are probably seven or eight bills to be passed. Of course, there will be a number of other bills for first reading—quite a few of those.