It began with a prayer in Ukrainian language by the Speaker and was followed by a motion by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to launch a military invasion of Ukraine as a flagrant breach of international law.
“By choosing to pursue this entirely avoidable path, innocent lives will be lost. New Zealand, and our international partners, call on Russia to do what is right. We call for an immediate end to military operations in Ukraine and a permanent withdrawal to end a pointless war.”
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National MP Ian McKelvie has been added to the 'bench' of assistant speakers who can supervise the House from the Chair. Photo: ©VNP / Phil Smith
The National Party Leader Christopher Luxon urged the government to urgently pass legislation for autonomous sanctions against Russia, and also to fast-track Ukrainian visas and bring in a humanitarian visa category for close family members of Ukrainians living in New Zealand.
“History is occurring as we speak and New Zealand must take strong, meaningful action to help the global community stop this senseless war.”
The focus on Ukraine comes in the first week in which parliament is operating under its new hybrid chamber system, due to the Omicron Covid-19 outbreak.
There are also several members bills up for debate this week, including a bill to amend the law on ‘revenge porn’ and one to create safe areas around abortion facilities, both bills introduced by Labour MP Louisa Wall.
Debate on a draft bill
On Thursday, MPs are to debate the Environment Committee’s report on the Natural and Built Environment Bill, a draft of the first of three bills designed to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) aimed at making consent processes faster, fairer, cheaper, easier, and better at protecting the environment.
What is unusual about this bill is that it wasn’t fully written by the time it went to select committee.
“An exposure draft of the bill was sent off to select committee for them to have a look at. And then they can report back to parliament,” said the Minister responsible for organising the government’s debating agenda, the Leader of the House, Chris Hipkins.
The Bill has yet to go through any of the three required readings.
“But given the significance of RMA reform, the minister in charge decided it would be worthwhile having a preliminary hearing through the select committee process before the Bill formally starts to make its way through the house,” Hipkins explained.
Chris Hipkins in the adjournment debate Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
“Good laws take time. And this is an area where the law is really complicated and therefore taking our time, providing people as many opportunities as possible to have their say on the legislation being put forward, that’s got to be a good thing.”