Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded the passing through all stages of the Families Package (Income Tax and Benefits) Bill.

This is a piece of legislation that delivers central elements of the Government’s 100-day plan as announced in the Speech from the Throne. In addition to reversing the former Government’s tax package from Budget 2017, which was itself passed under urgency, it introduces a Best Start payment and a winter energy payment, boosts Working for Families, and makes other changes that will benefit a wide range of New Zealanders, particularly those on low and middle incomes.

Different elements of the package come into effect on 1 April and 1 July 2018. We have been advised that the Ministry of Social Development and the Inland Revenue Department do need to build and test systems and processes necessary for the delivery of the package, and that is one of the reasons why urgency is required. Passing the bill through urgency also provides certainty for payroll providers, who will have to rearrange their systems to accommodate the tax changes. It will also ensure that families have certainty in knowing what they will receive and be entitled to. The Government has been advised that any delay in enacting the package would make the delivery of the new systems and processes necessary to give effect to it very difficult and potentially put those at risk. That is the reason why urgency is required.

The question is that the motion be agreed to. Those of that opinion will say Aye, to the contrary No—[Interruption] Well, you know about the voice and the vote, don’t you, Mr Brownlee? A party vote is called for. The Clerk will conduct a party vote.