Business Statement

Next Tuesday, the first item of business will be the Appropriation (2006/07 Supplementary Estimates) Bill, which is along with the Imprest Supply Bill, and is a 3-hour debate. Wednesday, of course, is a members’ day. The priority for Government business for the remainder of the week will be the remaining stages of the Criminal Justice Reform Bill and the Te Roroa Claims Settlement Bill. A message has gone to all parties today seeking their support for leave to take all remaining stages of the Evidence Amendment Bill on Thursday during normal sitting time, subject, of course, to a favourable report from the select committee on the bill.

Can the Leader of the House confirm that the president of the Labour Party indicated to a conference last week on electoral accountability that there would be an electoral spending bill in the House this week? Are we to assume that the progress on completing such a bill is now stalled due to numbers?

The president of the Labour Party must have been referring to some deep, dark secret that I am not aware of.