Speaker’s Rulings — COVID-19 Response (Vaccinations) Legislation Bill—Third Reading Debate

Members, before I proceed to the third reading I have some comments to make. I will explain that during this forthcoming debate, I will allow a much wider and looser approach than is normally the case at the third reading stage of a bill.

Urgency of this type used to be common. It isn’t any more, for good reason; it resulted in bad law. Taking a bill one stage per day and using even a truncated select committee process improves the understanding of legislators, allows for informed public and specialist comment, and, generally, improves the quality of the legislation.

This policy first became public on 15 October. The policy decisions, the drafting instructions, or an exposure draft of the bill could and should have been made public and preferably considered by a select committee, either through reference through the House or using committees’ inquiry functions. The failure for that to occur is primarily the Government’s responsibility. But I do note that I have enquired of the Health Committee, the Governance and Administration Committee, and the Finance and Expenditure Committee, and no member of the House requested any use of the inquiry functions at any of those committees, and, therefore, it is a matter which has widespread responsibility.

Having said that, the rules of the House are clear; we will proceed to a third reading. But in interpreting the rules of relevance, in particular, and repetition, if necessary I will take the widest possible approach to allowing full debate.