Business Statement

Next week in the House it is the Government’s intention to take urgency for the week. The bills for consideration are likely to include the Legislation (Incorporation by Reference) Bill, including the Supplementary Order Paper relating to Building Act matters, the Gambling Amendment Bill, the Railways Bill, the Architects Bill, the Charities Bill, the New Zealand Superannuation Amendment Bill, the Public Records Bill, the Crimes Amendment Bill (No 2), the Fiordland Marine Management Bill, the Identity (Citizenship and Travel Documents) Bill, the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill (No 3), the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill, and the first readings on the Order Paper.

Does the Leader of the House intend allowing the House to have question time next week, on Wednesday and Thursday, which is the time when the Opposition has an opportunity to question the Government about the way in which it is running the country?

No, but of course if we could arrive at an arrangement about the length of question time for the remainder of this Parliament, I am sure I could make that time available.

Can I ask Dr Cullen why we need urgency next week, when he abandoned proceedings in the House last night and we are shortly to contemplate a month away from this place, in an adjournment. How could the public and anyone who is halfway sane believe there is a need for urgency in those circumstances?

Last night, of course, the business we would have got on to was reports of select committees, which is not Government business, and we are not taking urgency for that business.