Business Statement

When the House resumes on Tuesday, 13 December the Government will look to complete the first reading of the Point England Development Enabling Bill, the second reading of the Taxation (Business Tax, Exchange of Information, and Remedial Matters) Bill, the Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Bill (No 2), and a number of other bills on the Order Paper. The House will rise for the year on Wednesday, 14 December at the conclusion of the adjournment debate, which will confirm the House sitting dates for 2017.

If this does indeed turn out to be the Leader of the House’s final business statement to the House, can I thank him on behalf of the Opposition for his contribution, and can I also indicate to him that if he is looking for something to do in the new year, there is an opening on the parliamentary catering committee, and we could, in fact, use his assistance.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: I will certainly enjoy the right of reply—the Hon Gerry Brownlee.

I thank the shadow Leader of the House for that expression, but I have got to say that, like so many on occasions like this, sort of fuelled by the clouds of delusion about self-importance, I had not actually considered such a prospect.