Central North Island Forests Land Collective Settlement Bill

I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. It is not for me to give an indication as to what the Government is doing, and I see that we have a senior Minister in the Chamber who might be able to help us, but we have the Labour whip calling one vote and the Minister in the chair, the Hon Mita Ririnui, calling for a party vote on the opposite position. That just cannot be right. We need some clarification about what is happening here.

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): All right. Let us get some clarification from the Minister, please. OK. I want to get this right; this is the question that schedule 2 stand part. I understand that schedule 2 has to be lost because there is a new schedule 2, which will be put after this one. Are we clear now? This one, as I understand it, should be lost, but there is an additional vote for a new schedule 2, as set out on Supplementary Order Paper 230, and that is the one to be agreed to. So this one will be lost. Let me put it now, so that we are all clear. All those in favour of schedule 2 standing part say “Aye”—

I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. I am sorry. I do not mean to be difficult, but it is an extraordinary situation when the Chairperson of the Committee of the whole House is saying, before we have a vote, that the vote is meant to be lost.

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): I understand.

I think that, in fairness to the Committee, we should have the vote, and then, if indeed there is an issue, someone can seek leave to amend it. It is most odd for you as Chair to be saying how a vote should go before you put the question.

The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson): Thank you, Mr Power, and I concur with what you were saying. I was trying to provide some leadership in the situation.

Schedule 2 not agreed to.

New schedule 2

The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 230 in the name of the Hon Dr Michael Cullen to insert new schedule 2 be agreed to.

New schedule 2 agreed to.

Schedule 3 agreed to.

New schedule 4

The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 230 in the name of the Hon Dr Michael Cullen to add new schedule 4 be agreed to.

New schedule 4 agreed to.

Clauses 1 and 2