Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded the introduction and passing of the Taxation (Budget Tax Measures) Bill. Earlier this afternoon when the Budget was delivered the Hon Bill English indicated there would be a postponement or deferral of the tax cuts previously anticipated, due to the difficult economic circumstances that the country finds itself in. Further, it has been signalled on a number of occasions, and, indeed, today again in the Budget, that there will be some changes to KiwiSaver, most particularly the removal of the provision for mortgage deferrals. It is worth noting that very few people have opted for that opportunity.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is usual, and I think it is a requirement of the Standing Orders, that when an urgency motion has been moved, a reason is given for why urgency is required. The Minister did not give any of those.

The extraordinary pedantic nature of the Opposition sees me back on my feet. Can I just say that anyone in this House—

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): Points of order are heard in silence. The member took a point of order and the Minister is responding to the point of order.

The matter was notified to the Business Committee on Tuesday. It was notified to the Business Committee that we would be taking urgency to give effect to budgetary matters. I just outlined what those budgetary matters were. The fact that Mr Mallard and his colleagues might have no memory from Tuesday to Thursday is not my concern. I have now given the House the reason: it is to give effect to budgetary matters.

💬 Hon Trevor Mallard: If he had done that the first time, we would have been fine.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): Excuse me. No, the member only has to give reasons for the urgency. He does not have to say why it is urgent; he just has to give reasons. That is all. The member alluded to the fact that it was in the Budget. He was compliant, in my opinion, from the beginning.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Forgive my innocence of the knowledge on this, but is there a required advance notice for a bill before urgency—that it should be tabled a certain number of hours in advance?

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): That is not a point of order, and innocence is not a matter this House considers very often. I say to the member that a bill put on notice is required to be on the Table for 3 days. If it is moved under urgency it is tabled immediately after the urgency motion. National has complied exactly with the Standing Orders.