Business Statement

When the House resumes next Tuesday, priority will be given to the consideration in Committee of the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill. Following that it is the Government’s intention to take urgency to progress several bills currently on the Order Paper. I will give further advice in the early part of next week about the bills to be included.

I thank the Leader of the House for that indication of the work programme next week, and I ask him two questions. First, can he assure the House that the Government does have the numbers to pass the emissions trading bill, and can he say whether the compromise made in order to achieve that has been considerable or inconsiderable? Second, can he tell us whether the Prime Minister intends to return to this House some time between now and when the House either dissolves or explodes before the election?

The only member at risk of exploding in the House is that member, for a variety of reasons. I am assured the Government has the numbers to pass the bill, and, indeed, one of the National Party’s favourite bloggers was boasting, in a somewhat inebriated state, I understand, that the National Party will shortly announce that it will support the emissions trading bill.