COVID-19 Response (Courts Safety) Legislation Bill

When last on this debate, Toni Severin had the call and has 8 minutes 33 seconds remaining to speak, and I just remind speakers this is a very narrow topic.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I’ve only just got a few points to finish off on the COVID-19 Response (Courts Safety) Legislation Bill—the instructing the committee to put this through fast tracking.

My biggest concern is, like a lot of businesses these days, they are suffering from a lot of people with COVID. I just feel it’s very unfair that we’re given a very short time frame for submitters to be able to submit on this bill, because of the numbers down with COVID. And the other thing is: how can New Zealanders keep trusting this Government if we keep fast tracking these bills and they’re not getting their say? That is just not fair on our justice system as well.

The last thing of all is: I know this is going to go through, which is very sad, but I would just like to thank the Justice Committee staff for the hard work they’re going to be doing in the next week or so. Thank you to the select committee, and we oppose this bill. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill and the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill.