Business of the House

In light of a decision taken by the House under Government notice of motion—

💬 Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Sorry, is this a point of order?

Yes, it is. In light of the decision taken under Government notice of motion No. 4 today to reinstate business, I move that the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill be now read a second time.

This is a good opportunity for the House to be debating, while we still have time left, a motion that is able to be debated, because there is time left and nothing left on the Order Paper. This is a good opportunity for the House to debate a bill that is important for the environment—

The member will sit, please. Is this a point of order? Points of order should be short, sharp, and to the point. They are not opportunities to speak. I think the member has forgotten that we are actually in urgency. The motion has not been lifted, and, therefore, we cannot debate anything other than what was contained in the urgency motion.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The business under urgency has been completed. There is time left on the clock until 10 o’clock. The business has been reinstated. I have the ability to move this motion, and I have so moved it. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will continue my call—

No. No, I’ll speak to your point of order. The business has not been completed, and the only business that can be debated under the urgency motion is the business before the House, which does not include any other bill. I have ruled. Do you have a further point of order?

💬 Jami-Lee Ross: Yes, Madam Deputy Speaker.

I hope it’s a different point of order.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker, my point of order is to seek clarification, because the business has been completed because the Clerk read out the second reading; therefore, the business under urgency has been completed.

Unfortunately for you, the urgency has not been lifted. We are still in urgency, all right? I will just take some advice. I’m new to this. [Pause in proceedings] Having taken advice, the member can seek leave, because the urgency was for the second reading; the second reading has been completed. So the member can seek leave—and I’m happy to put the leave—but the member cannot launch forth into the debate. So are you seeking leave to move that that bill be debated?

Madam Deputy Speaker, there is time on the clock—

No. Answer my question, please. Are you seeking leave? If you are, then do so. Otherwise, sit down, and the business of the House will continue.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My submission to you is that there is time on the clock. There was nothing—

I have actually ruled that you are free to seek leave, because there is no other business on the table for this House at the conclusion of the urgency. So if you wish, you may seek leave to debate the bill that you are proposing. I am offering you the opportunity to do that. I’ll put the leave, and it’s in the House’s hands.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Are you refusing to seek leave?

No, I’m seeking your clarification. My submission to you is that I do not have to seek leave, because there was time on the clock and no business available. I was, therefore, able to move a motion, and I have moved that motion. I now wish to speak—

I am now ruling that you do have to seek leave. There is no business on the Table, and you may seek leave for that bill to be debated.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker.

If this is the same point of order—

💬 Jami-Lee Ross: I’ll seek leave—I’ll seek leave.

You will seek leave?

I seek leave for the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill to be now debated. I wish to move the second reading.

I’ll put that leave to debate that bill. All those in favour say aye—[Interruption] There is objection. Is there objection? The Government has indicated it does not wish to continue with urgency, and, therefore, the debate is set down for resumption next sitting day.

The House adjourned at 9.57 p.m.