Business Statement

Next week in the House, priority will be given to the remaining stages of the Civil Union Bill—subject to it passing the second reading today, obviously—and Government notices of motion Nos 1, 2, and 3. Following oral questions on Tuesday, 7 December, Kenneth Wang is scheduled to deliver his maiden speech.

Could the Leader of the House advise which bills he intends to advance in the final sitting week of this year?

There are many bills in my plan in that respect. Obviously, the ones that have to be done include the validation bill for regulations of various sorts, such as the pension increases, the Public Finance (State Sector Management) Bill, the Aquaculture Reform Bill, the Taxation (Annual Rates, Venture Capital and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, and any remaining stages of the Social Security (Long-term Residential Care) Bill. Amongst others, there may possibly be the Architects Bill, and perhaps even the excise duty Bill—I have not talked to the United Future party about that yet. There are already seven first readings on the Order Paper, with possibly more by Monday.

Mr Speaker, I also wish you a happy birthday.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Thank you very much. I also thank the Hon Roger Sowry, the Hon Mark Gosche, and John Banks.

And it is my wedding anniversary, too.