Business Statement

Next week the House will go into urgency, and the likely business to be included in this motion is the remaining stages of the Taxation (Annual Rates and Urgent Measures) Bill, the Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Approvals and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, the Veterinarians Bill, and any first readings of bills on the Order Paper. At the conclusion of that, of course, it is anticipated that if the business runs past 2 o’clock on Thursday, the House will rise for the Christmas adjournment.

Noting that Dr Cullen expects the House to rise soon after 2 o’clock next Thursday, I ask whether he can tell us what in his urgency motion is so pressing that he has to deny the Opposition the opportunity to have question time on 2 days next week.

Of course, if we finish this business by 1 o’clock on Wednesday we will have question times on both Wednesday and Thursday. If we finish by 1 o’clock on Thursday we will certainly have question time on Thursday—an ordinary Thursday sitting. Of course, I am always open to further discussions.