Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded to the introduction and passing through all stages of the New Zealand Flag Referendums Amendment Bill. No doubt, people will be aware that there was a move this afternoon by the Green Party to seek provision for this bill to be introduced and passed through all stages immediately upon the end of the general debate. That leave was denied by the House. For those who are not familiar with the process, any member of this House can deny a motion for leave for a particular parliamentary process.

I think the merits of this bill and the proposal are found in the fact that so many people have expressed the view that this particular alternative to the New Zealand flag should be included on the sheet for consideration at the first referendum and then, perhaps, at a subsequent referendum. Therefore, the Government has decided to take the opportunity for the bill to be put through the House in time for the Red Peak flag to appear on the ballot paper. It would be appropriate to take urgency and see the bill go through all of its stages today so that there can be a clear instruction to those conducting the referendum.

Urgency is something that this Government has not used a lot of in the past few years, but it is, I think, appropriate in this case because there has been such a large statement by the public, and also there is a considerable desire within the House to see this particular provision effected. Those are the reasons for us moving the urgency motion this afternoon.