Business Statement

Today, the House will adjourn until Tuesday, 29 March. Legislation to be considered in that week will include the first readings of Te Rohe o Rongokako Joint Redress Bill and the Natural Hazards Insurance Bill; the first and second readings of the Appropriation (2020/21 Confirmation and Validation) Bill; and the second reading and committee stage of Te Pire mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill. Third readings include the Ngāti Maru (Taranaki) Claims Settlement Bill, the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill, and the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill.

I thank the Deputy shadow Leader of the House for that update. I was wondering if he could—

💬 Hon Grant Robertson: He’s not the shadow; that’s you.

Oh, sorry—Deputy Leader of the House. I was wondering if he could offer the House a view as to whether or not legislation considering the Government’s moves regarding hate speech will be introduced into the Parliament this year, and if we’ll see a first reading this side of Christmas.

As, I think, the Minister concerned has indicated, there are some important issues to work through on that issue, and I will give advice as soon as we have it to give.

I just had a question for the Deputy Leader of the House about the House programme as well, which is whether the Organic Products Bill will be brought back to the House at any time in the near future, given that the Primary Production Committee reported back over a year ago?

A very busy programme for the Government, a lot of important legislation for us to consider, and again we’ll consider that in due course and advise the member.