Te Pire mō Te Reo Māori / Māori Language Bill

We come now to the Hon Nanaia Mahuta’s amendments to Part 1, set out on Supplementary Order Paper 165. Those in favour of that amendment say Aye, to the contrary, No. The Noes have it?

I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. You yourself have pointed out that there has been widespread debate, particularly on this matter, and varying views within parties across the Committee, so I call for a personal vote.

The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Sorry, can I just first rule that the Noes have it. So now if the member states her point of order.

My point of order is that, as I have said previously, a widespread debate has taken place, in particular on this amendment, and there have been differing views within political parties. I think that it would be reasonable to call for a personal vote on Supplementary Order Paper 165.

Can I make the point, first of all, that normally when a personal vote is to be taken—this is not exactly a conscience vote—notice is given so that parties can be prepared for it. It is not a requirement of the Standing Orders, but it is normal practice, and one that I would encourage. I think it is Standing Order 144 that says a personal vote is taken where there is—I have not got the wording in my head—a material difference and it might change the result. I have been listening to the debate and to what people have been saying, and it is my view that the margin is not such that one or two members within particular parties voting a different way would, in fact, make the difference. We will take a party vote, and I might reconsider my position if that is the case. I will make it clear that if members do have different views, they are able to split the party vote and handle it that way.

The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 165 in the name of the Hon Nanaia Mahuta to insert a new heading and new clauses 3A and 3B be agreed to.

Can I just intersperse a warning to whips, and that is the fact that there is every chance that we will go after 6 o’clock tonight and they should be warning people not to leave the building while voting on amendments is occurring.

The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 166 in the name of Louisa Wall to clause 15 be agreed to.