Business Statement

The House next sits on Tuesday, 16 October. The business for that week will include the committee stage of the Telecommunications (New Regulatory Framework) Amendment Bill, the Courts Matters Bill, and the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Bill, and the first reading of the Equal Pay Amendment Bill. The Government will move to extend the sitting of Tuesday, 16 October until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 17 October. Wednesday, 17 October will be a members’ day.

Does the Leader of the House realise that the bills he’s circulated for consideration in extended hours in the hope that the Opposition might agree to select committees sitting are all bills that have been returned to the House by select committees due to sit that morning?

Actually, no, I wasn’t aware that that list had been circulated. I will certainly check that list. It is the Government’s intention to ensure that bills considered under the extended period do not clash with select committees.