Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2020
The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.
Prayers.
BUSINESS STATEMENT
Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Address in Reply debate continues next week, with a further eight maiden speeches on Tuesday. The Business Committee has agreed that after oral questions on Tuesday, there will be a one-hour debate on the report of the Royal Commission into the attacks on Christchurch mosques on 15 March last year. On Tuesday evening, the House will consider motions on the COVID-19 response and other issues. The Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill will pass through its remaining stages. I did notify the Business Committee that there may be an extended sitting on Wednesday morning, depending on progress. First readings to be considered will include the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill, the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill, the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill, and the Water Services Bill. On Wednesday, the sitting programme for 2021 will be approved and the House will adjourn for the year.
CHRIS BISHOP (National): Thank you to the Leader of the House for that fulsome update. Can I ask the leader if he is planning on putting the House into urgency next week, and, in particular, if he is going to do so, whether or not any bills will be introduced that the Opposition is only presented with mere moments before the bill is tabled on the floor of the House, and in particular bills that the Attorney-General has issued a section 7 report under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 as breaching the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.
Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): No, it’s not the Government’s intention to move urgency next week, although I did indicate that we may do an extended sitting on Wednesday morning.
