Motions — Confidence Motion—Government

Noting the growing instability in the Government, I seek leave of the House to move a motion of no confidence forthwith.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Could I check whether that is a non-debatable motion?

💬 Gerry Brownlee: Yes.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought. Is there any objection?

Is it non-debatable? [Interruption] It is debatable.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: The member did not ask for it to be non-debatable. Leave is sought. Is there any objection?

Yes, if the motion is debatable. Is it non-debatable?

💬 Mr SPEAKER: No, it is debatable.

It is debatable. Yes, there is objection. If the member wishes to move a non-debatable motion, it is perfectly acceptable to do so.

💬 Dr Don Brash: Yes, it is a non-debatable motion.

The member did not say that.

💬 Gerry Brownlee: Well, he’s saying it now. [Interruption]

There is far too much interjection. While I am on my feet, there will be none. The member has had his only warning for the day about interjecting while I am on my feet. He will be out next time. That is the only warning. The member asked for leave; leave was denied.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The reason I asked whether the motion was debatable was that the member moved the motion in a form whereby it was debatable, and the Government does object to that. But if the member wishes to seek leave to move a non-debatable motion, I am sure nobody in the Government will object.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Does the member wish to do that?

💬 Dr Don Brash: I do. I seek the leave of the House—

Is there any objection? There is not.

I move, That this House has no confidence in the Government.

A party vote was called for on the question that the motion be agreed to.

I call the honourable Tariana Turia.

💬 Donna Awatere Huata: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

I have actually called another member. I will hear the member shortly.

One vote opposed.

For the benefit of members, if Tariana Turia is voting the way she has proposed, the Labour Party should have called 52, not 51. Is 52 the call? Right.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I was not aware of what the vote was on. I seek your indulgence to let me know what the vote is on so that I can vote accordingly.

It is a vote of no confidence in the Government. Is the vote for or against?

In favour.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I noticed during the taking of that vote that you took some advice from the Clerk, and then required the Labour Party to change its vote from 51 to 52. Are we to take it that, for parliamentary purposes—a mechanism used in the past, in a previous term of Parliament—Tariana Turia remains a member of the Labour Party at this point?

I have had no advice in writing that she is not.