Business Statement

Next week will be the final sitting week of the 52nd Parliament. On Tuesday, 4 August, the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill will have its third reading. I’ve informed the Business Committee of my intention to move urgency on Tuesday. Bills to be passed under urgency will include the COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Bill, the COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Bill (No 2), the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, the Fuel Industry Bill, and the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill. The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill will receive its first reading, and there will be a motion to extend the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. On Thursday, 6 August, all things going according to plan, the House will close its proceedings with the adjournment debate.

Can I ask the Leader of the House whether or not the Government will give consideration to picking up the Adverse Weather-affected Timber Recovery on Conservation Lands Bill, a member’s bill in the name of Maureen Pugh, that has just been drawn from the members’ ballot, and sending that to a select committee in the time the House has before we rise for the election.

Of course, the Government has a lot of legislation to try and get through over the three remaining sitting days we will have next week, and so we have no intention to pick up any of the members’ bills.

The House comes to oral questions, and the first is in the name of the Hon Gerry Brownlee.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Nice to see you in the Chair.

It feels good!