Urgency

Before you put that motion, Mr Speaker, on behalf of New Zealand First I seek leave for an addition to the urgency motion—to add the Immigration Amendment Bill in my name to the urgent business of the House, it being a matter of critical importance to this country’s security.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to add that. Is there any objection? There is.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. New Zealand First made it very clear to the Government that we had no desire to join the committee being set up under Government motion No. 1, which is part of the urgency motion. We do not believe that the Government has the right to do so despite our clear view we do not wish to join this committee and the fact that we believe it to be a sham and a waste of Parliament’s time and our time, as well. We do not believe that any other party in this House can force us to be members of that committee by simply adding it to the motion.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My question to you is: how can it not be a point of order? Surely a political party has a right to choose whether it belongs to a special select committee. The National Party will not be joining this select committee and we have made that abundantly clear, as well. Even if this House were to muster enough votes to put the committee together on this basis, we will not be there. Why is it that this has to be done under urgency, and how is it that a Government can propose a nomination like this?

💬 Mr SPEAKER: The member should read the Standing Orders. It is a matter for debate when the House gets to that motion. It is not a point or order.

A couple of points of order—[Interruption]

💬 Mr SPEAKER: The member will be seated or he will leave.

A couple of points of order ago the House denied leave for Mr Peters to have his Immigration Amendment Bill considered. The National Party considers matters of national security to be of the highest importance. We presume that the Government objects to Mr Peters’ bill on the basis of its retrospective nature. Therefore, I seek leave for the House to include in the motion the Immigration Amendment Bill in the name of Mr Peters, without the retrospective clause.

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

That being the case, I seek leave for the words “New Zealand First” and the number “1”, which are in the second to last line of Government notice of motion No. 1, to be removed from the notice of motion.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that. Is there any objection? There is not.

I make a similar request to the House—that the words “New Zealand National” and the number “2” be removed from that motion.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that. Is there any objection? There is not.

I just make it clear that the Government will be making available House time if necessary should parties change their mind. I note that New Zealand First also declined to join the Fisheries and Other Sea-related Legislation Committee but later joined it in a very positive fashion.