References to Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi (Repeals) Amendment Bill

There is no business before the House. The Chair should now move on to another order of the day and discharge.

💬 SPEAKER: No, I confused things by thinking that we were so close to midday, where the House breaks for its break. I was about to do that, then said “No, we will progress”, and then I called the Hon Penny Simmonds.

Speaking to the point of order. She was unavailable, and she had to move around and, obviously, was not ready to go; therefore, this should be discharged.

💬 SPEAKER: Speaking to the point of order?

Yes, speaking to the point of order, Mr Brownlee. There was a Minister available to take the call; however, we didn’t get an opportunity because members took points of order. [Interruption] I know members may have forgotten in earlier contributions, but I am also a Minister that is able to move readings.

Speaking to the point of order, Ministers must be ready to take their first reading call. This is a strong convention of this House. No Minister on that side of the House stood up to take this call. This is a matter of extreme importance to the country, and the fact that they could not even get themselves organised to stand up and take a call—not one single Minister. Their presence in the House is irrelevant. They need to be available to stand up and take a call, and Speakers in your position, in other Parliaments, have discharged bills when a Minister has not been available. It is my strong recommendation that you do so in this instance.

💬 SPEAKER: Well, thank you for that advice. The time has come for me to leave the Chair for the lunch break. We’ll return at 2 o’clock.

Sitting suspended from 12.58 p.m. to 2 p.m.