Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move, That the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill be reported to the House by 16 March 2023 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions), and during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House, despite Standing Order 196.

The rationale here is pretty simple, and it’s been articulated well by many contributions in the House: that the contents of the bill and what it proposes to do is urgent in nature. It will assist those that have been impacted by the cyclone, and if we delay, then it will prevent them in their recovery. It could lead to local councils not being able to make decisions. It could prevent local authorities from declaring a local emergency if another severe weather event or natural disaster hits. It could mean that some businesses, through no fault of their own, have to stop trading, and it could also mean that some people get caught out because of administrative time lines, doing emergency works that are required for themselves, their businesses, or their communities. I don’t think anyone in this House wants those things to happen, and therefore what we’ve proposed is that this sit with select committee for a day, come back to the House on Thursday, and then we complete this, so that once it’s passed, they can continue with the recovery with those protections.

I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge other parties in the House, but in particular Chris Penk and Michael Woodhouse for the constructive way in which you’ve dealt with both the Hon Grant Robertson and I around this matter. No one likes rushing things, but we also didn’t want to go through urgency; that wouldn’t have been proper. Through the conversations and the discussions that we’ve had, in a really constructive manner, we’ve been able to find a way through this, and I just want that on record, that it’s appreciated.

Motion agreed to.

I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Bill.