Business Statement

Next week the House goes into a 1-week break. When the House resumes on Tuesday, 4 December, priority will be given to the completion of the second reading of the Taxation (Annual Rates, Business Taxation, KiwiSaver, and Remedial Matters) Bill; on the assumption that that second reading is not finished today, the remaining stages of the Electoral Finance Bill; and the third reading of the Education (Tertiary Reforms) Amendment Bill, if there is time.

Noting the rather extensive list of work the Government hopes to get done in the short hours that remain between now and the end of the year, can we assume that the Government is taking notice of the Law Society, which has indicated that the Electoral Finance Bill is, in fact, unworkable and should be returned to the select committee?

Of course, my statement was in reference to the first week back. There are 2 other weeks after that in which there will be further business for the House to consider and a considerable number of bills ready for their first reading. The main thing I heard on the news was that the Law Society objected to the fact that anonymous donations should remain anonymous.