Business Statement

When the House resumes next Tuesday, priority will be given to the completion of the Committee stage and the third reading of the Appropriation (2008/09 Estimates) Bill. The third reading debate is a 3-hour debate and includes consideration of an Imprest Supply Bill. The Government will also seek to progress the first readings of bills currently on the Order Paper, probably also the Parliamentary Service Amendment Bill, and possibly the Policing Bill.

Can the Leader of the House indicate whether the Appropriation (2008/09 Estimates) Bill will be considered to be a confidence vote by the Government? Secondly, can he further update us on the progress of the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill, which is still sitting on the Order Paper?

A bill like the Appropriation (2008/09 Estimates) Bill is always a matter for a confidence vote. It is the most fundamental confidence vote that exists. I realise the member has been trying to spread a story that for some reason the Government has been postponing the vote.

💬 Gerry Brownlee: That’s right.

No. As the member is well aware, and as was explained to the Business Committee, the Government has had to progress the Lawyers and Conveyancers Amendment Bill (No 2) this week. It is necessary to amend the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act before tomorrow, when it comes into force, because a number of practitioners would have found themselves practising illegally—a matter that would not, of course, concern the member, but would concern those practitioners.