Business Statement

Today, the House will adjourn until Tuesday, 3 December. Legislation to be considered in that week will include the first reading of the International Crimes and International Criminal Court Amendment Bill; the second readings of the Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill and the Ombudsmen (Protection of Name) Amendment Bill; the third readings of the Referendums Framework Bill, the Farm Debt Mediation Bill (No 2), and the National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2); and further stages of the Credit Contracts Legislation Amendment Bill. Wednesday, 4 December will be a members’ day.

I thank the Acting Leader of the House for that indication. The bit that we thought was missing was No. 18 on the Order Paper. Can we take it then that one more year will pass without the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill making the floor of the House?

Well, I note that when the member asking the question was the Leader of the House himself, that particular bill languished on the Order Paper for about a year. This is a busy Government. We will eventually get to the work that National put in the too-hard basket, but, in the meantime, we’ve got our own legislation to pass.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Acting Leader of the House may like to know that when the words “second reading” are alongside a bill, it means that the Government has dealt with it at some point and sent it to a select committee. What it now means, of course, is that the current Government have done nothing with it for almost two years.

Right, OK—

💬 Hon Iain Lees-Galloway: Speaking to the point of order—

No—no more. No more. The member got what he deserved and it’s going to finish there.