Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded the introduction and passing of the Taxation (Budget Measures) Bill. The simple reason is that this bill gives life to the announcements in today’s Budget speech around personal tax cuts, company tax cuts, and a range of provisions that relate to the taxation of New Zealand business activities. As the previous speaker, the Hon Peter Dunne, mentioned, these provisions have been very well received by the commentariat so far. It is also important to have them locked into place so that there can be sufficient planning in order for there to be a smooth transition to those new arrangements by the date prescribed in the bill.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. As the Leader of the House has moved that the bill be introduced under an urgency motion, which is the impact of the vote we are about to have, Opposition members have not had a chance to see the legislation. I wonder whether the Leader of the House could indicate to us the implementation date for the tax changes in the legislation so we can get a sense of how urgent it is that we pass the legislation over the next 2 days.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy): He is not required to do that under Standing Orders. It is a reasonable request but one he does not have to respond to. It looks like he has chosen not to, so I will put the motion, and the member can vote accordingly.

Perhaps it would help—

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy): It looks like Mr Brownlee now will respond.

I just want to keep good order in the House. I suggest the member takes the rather large blue book that was handed to him this afternoon, sets aside his colouring pencils, and reads some of the text, which will give him all the answers he requires.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That simple explanation would have been helpful without all the extra bits that caused the member trouble down the track. The case is that the legislation comes into effect on 1 October and it is only May now, so it is not an urgent matter that the House has to deal with straight away under Standing Order 54(3).

Speaking to the point of order—

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy): I am quite happy to respond. The Government has the right to determine whether a motion should be accorded urgency. Under Standing Orders, it has to give reasons. It has done that. There is no debate about that. I will now put the motion. [Interruption] I must remind the House that there is to be no comment during voting, for two reasons. One is that we need some accuracy about recording the vote. The second is that no member of this House will vote under duress of comment. In the past people have been ejected for such behaviour. I remind the House—it is just a cautionary note—that votes will be taken in silence.