Urgency

I move, That urgency be accorded to the first reading and referral to select committee of the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill.

The use of urgency for the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill is largely technical: to enable it to come before the House today when it would not otherwise be available until tomorrow. The bill is a simple one that gives legislative effect to the policy on petroleum exploration announced in April. It must pass by early November to ensure that Block Offer 2018 can proceed in a timely manner. The use of urgency will make it certain that the bill can be referred to a select committee before the adjournment, thus enabling the public and industry to have their say on the bill. The urgency motion includes the debate on the terms of the referral to the select committee.

Urgency will be accorded, and I’m going to use my poor eyesight to say it’s now six o’clock and to indicate that the House will resume after the dinner break at 7.30.

Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.