Taxation (Annual Rates and Budget Measures) Bill

I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. First, I say that I accept without reservation the Chair’s uncontested right to make a decision on when to put a closure motion. But this is very heavily contested ground, and I want to make a point before we get into the Committee stage—right from the outset—about the rules of engagement. The first point I make is that the Taxation (Annual Rates and Budget Measures) Bill has not been to a select committee. This bill has only just been put on the Table today, and therefore I think the Chair needs—and I am just asking before I come to the matter later—to ensure that the rights of the Opposition are well protected, and that the rights of the Opposition to examine a bill extensively are taken into account. I hope that the Chair is very lenient in consideration of when to put a closure motion, because I have no doubt that the Government members—

💬 Hon Sir Roger Douglas: Oh, there’s nothing in the bill.

I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): Points of order are to be heard in silence, and the member has the floor. There will be no other comment.

This bill has not been to a select committee. The Opposition has had limited time to read the bill. I know it is not extensive. I know it is short, and that there are lots of numbers in it, but I hope that the Chair will give a lot of forbearance in allowing the Opposition to have plenty of calls and to put plenty of questions to the Minister in the chair, recognising the fact that we are in urgency and the bill has not been to select committee. I hope that the Opposition is given plenty of time to examine the bill over time. I just make that point before we start.

The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): I thank the member. This is an important debate. It confirms the annual tax rate, and I thank the member for his contribution. The member will be aware that the discretion to accept a closure motion is that of the Chair. The Chair will always be looking at the relevancy. I hear what the member says, and this is an important debate. I am sure that we will have a lively debate, and there will be full participation from all sides of the Chamber.

Part 1 Annual rates of income tax