Business Statement

on behalf of the Leader of the House: When the House resumes on Tuesday, 18 September the Government will look to complete a number of Committee stages and first readings on the Order Paper, including the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Amendment Bill, the Taxation (Annual Rates, Returns Filing, and Remedial Matters) Bill, the Airports (Cost Recovery for Processing of International Travellers) Bill, and the Legislation Bill. Wednesday is a members’ day. On Thursday morning, with the agreement of the Business Committee, the House will sit under extended hours to hold the first readings of the Waitaha Claims Settlement Bill and the Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara Claims Settlement Bill, and the second readings of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Claims Settlement Bill and the Ngāti Manuhiri Claims Settlement Bill.

I just want to seek an assurance from the acting Leader of the House that the Patents Bill will not be considered under urgency, given the problems it has run into.

on behalf of the Leader of the House: I am not in a position to give that member any assurances about the Patents Bill. I have set out for the member’s benefit what bills are going to be discussed next week. At no time have I mentioned urgency. He is chasing rabbits.