Business Statement

Legislation to be considered next week will include the third reading of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2018-19, Modernising Tax Administration, and Remedial Matters) Bill, the first reading of the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill, the second reading of the Local Electoral Matters Bill, the committee stages of the Local Government Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill, the Accident Compensation Amendment Bill, the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Bill, and the Commerce (Criminalisation of Cartels) Amendment Bill. The second reading of the Ngāti Rangi Claims Settlement Bill will take place on Thursday, 14 March.

Mr Speaker, thank you. I want to first thank the Leader of the House for the outline of the Government’s forward legislative proposals. I have two matters that I’d like to get clarified if we could.

First, can he further inform the House if it’s his intention to seek House time to give effect to the comments by the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation this week that there will be a Taxation (Research and Development Tax Credits) Bill passed and enacted by 1 April 2019.

Secondly, is it the Government’s intention to adopt the members’ bill, Broadcasting (Games of National Significance) Amendment Bill (No 2), in the name of Clayton Mitchell, to ensure that all New Zealanders can watch the Rugby World Cup free to air later this year?

With regard to the first matter, that bill has already been passed. With regard to the second matter, that’s a member’s bill.

No, no. You’ve got the wrong bill. The bill I’m questioning about is still in a select committee.

Right. Well, I do expect—given the clear difference—that if the Leader of the House is inaccurate, he will come back in and correct during the afternoon. Thank you.