Motions — Gaza—Women’s Peace Boat

I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate in support of the Women’s Peace Boat to Gaza, including New Zealand MP Marama Davidson, to show solidarity and support to the Palestinian people.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Order! The first purpose is the member seeking leave to move that motion without notice and without debate. I will put the leave. Leave is sought—

💬 Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I make the point that for some time now we have generally had an arrangement where whips’ offices contacted one another to indicate whether or not there would be support for leave. It does not look good if members move motions of this nature that are then declined, but there will often be good reasons why a Government cannot support some motions, and I think it would be timely for all parties to agree that the arrangements they had previously accepted through the Business Committee are followed—unless, of course, this week’s breakdown of the Business Committee arrangements are to be permanent.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: I will hear from Catherine Delahunty.

We circulated this motion this morning and were told by National it had declined it. So what is your issue?

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Order! I think the point that Mr Brownlee makes is that the Business Committee is a very important institution for the working of this Parliament. We have, at times, discussed the need for more cooperation and collaboration. Whether that has happened or not on this occasion, the member has every right to seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate, so I will put the leave. Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.

I move, That this House express its support for the Women’s Peace Boat to Gaza and the International Coalition of Women on that boat, including New Zealand member of Parliament Marama Davidson, as it sails to Gaza to show solidarity and support to the Palestinian people, and highlight the contributions of Palestinian women who have been central within the Palestinian struggle in Gaza and the diaspora.

Motion agreed to.