Estimates Debate — In Committee

The House is in Committee on the Appropriation (2005/06 Estimates) Bill. The Standing Orders provide for 8 hours of debate on the estimates. Each member may have no more than two speeches of 5 minutes on each vote. The estimates debate should be relevant to the Government’s current spending plans as contained in the Estimates of Appropriations.

As each vote is reached, a question will be put that that vote be agreed to. If it is the wish of the Committee, I will put the question on groups of votes by a Minister until a vote is reached that members seek to debate. A separate question on that vote will then be proposed from the Chair. Should it be the wish of the Committee, a question may be proposed on two or more related votes for the purpose of debating them together. At the conclusion of the 8 hours of debate, any remaining votes and the remaining provisions of the bill will be put as one question.

The Government indicates which votes are available for debate. I understand that all votes are available in order of seniority of Ministers, commencing with the Speaker’s votes. Copies of the order of votes to be considered are available on the Table.

I raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson. Please excuse my confusion. I want to address Vote Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Does that mean I should state that now, or wait until you raise that yourself? Please excuse my ignorance on this matter.

The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley): It comes up later. There is a list here.

Vote Office of the Clerk agreed to.

Vote Parliamentary Service