Business Statement

Next week the House is in a 1-week adjournment. When the House resumes on Tuesday, 12 March the Government will look to progress the Appropriation (2011/12 Financial Review) Bill, the Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2), and the Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill. Wednesday, 13 March is a members’ day.

I have three questions, and a couple of them are related. We understand that there is some relatively urgent legislation in the name of Mr Williamson. Is it proposed that that be introduced in the next sitting week? Related to that, does the Minister intend to share a copy of that legislation with other parties soon? The other, unrelated question is to check who is the Minister for Primary Industries as far as House duty today is concerned?

On the matter of the bill that might be coming through from the Minister for Building and Construction, that is currently being written. As soon as it is written it will be circulated, so that other parties can see what is in it. It is a small validation bill, and at that point we can discuss an appropriate time for it to come into the House. On the matter of the Minister acting on behalf of the Minister for Primary Industries today, I am not familiar with who that is, but I will have someone phone the member in a few minutes to keep him up to date with exactly who will be representing the Government’s very strong position in that particular portfolio.