Parliament has two kinds of weeks: government weeks and members’ weeks. Members’ weeks devote Wednesdays to non-government bills, leaving eight hours for the Government. Government weeks offer up to 13 hours of debate.
A sitting fortnight has just 21 sitting hours uncluttered by Question Time or general debates, but other things intervene: ministerial statements, urgent debates and motions all eat time.
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Matariki star cluster from southern hemisphere Photo: NASA
Parliament recently lost three weeks of debating time due to Covid-19. This week the Government begins a catch-up effort adding an extra morning session each week. That tactic may continue all year, though there are now just eight sitting weeks until Santa dusts off his sleigh and breaks New Zealand import and immigration laws (as well as the laws of physics).
Here are a few things the Government intends the House to debate this week.
New bills, including a Matariki holiday
There’s a lot on the agenda but it may not all get done. At least one and probably more of these brand new bills will get a first reading.
- Te Pire mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki/Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill creates a new public holiday. This is the main event for Thursday.
- The Civil Aviation Bill replaces the Civil Aviation Act (30 years old) and the Airport Authorities Act (aged 45) with a bill that includes rules on remote or autonomous aircraft, security, drug and alcohol use, and emissions.
- The Electricity Industry Amendment Bill updates industry rules and creates a new consumer advocacy agency paid for by a levy on the industry.
- The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill bans the export of livestock by sea.
Polishing off major items
Last week the Government focused time on three bills it wanted passed soon - this week it plans to complete all three.
- The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill changes the terrorism law, including making planning or training for terrorism a crime.
- The Water Services Bill creates standards and controls for the provision of drinking water.
- The Social Security (Removal of Subsequent Child Policy) Amendment Bill pushes out work obligations for mothers on sole parent support to when their youngest is three years old.
The water bill is aiming to get finalised on Tuesday, the other two on Wednesday.
A thicket of second readings
Second reading debates occur when a bill returns from being considered by a select committee. Most bills come back to the House with suggested amendments resulting from submissions and expert input. The second reading approves or rejects those amendments.
While the House has been running on reduced hours a fair bit this year, the committees have, contrariwise, worked harder and longer. They’ve got through a lot of work and there is now a small logjam of bills waiting for that second reading.
On the list the House might get through are:
- The Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill – Requires climate impact disclosures from some businesses. This bill may get through two stages this week.
- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill – enables certificates of origin required by the RCEP trade agreement.
- The Maritime Transport (MARPOL VI) Amendment Bill – allows the Minister of Transport to make marine protection rules and for there to be inspections, audits and ship detentions in relation to our international agreements around ozone-depleting chemicals.
- The Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Bill – changes rules around compulsory treatment orders including requiring reviews of treatment orders (eliminating permanent orders).