Last week Parliament was awash with committees, but this week it moves everything on a step and plans to finalise a quintet of laws. It will also agree a calendar for 2019, and add a week to 2018.
You heard me right. Parliament is adding an extra week before Christmas. Don’t fret, Santa won’t be confused and your presents will still arrive on the same day, the extra week is just for Parliament.
The Leader of the House, Chris Hipkins, in the chamber. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
This week the Government plans to get final sign-off on the bill that will ban new offshore fossil fuel exploration permits. It's a contentious bill so this could take some effort. They also want to polish off a bill allowing New Zealand citizens (which include Niueans, Tokelauans and the Cook Islanders) to spend more time island-side prior to retirement; new rules for the digital telecoms network; and family violence legislation.
On Thursday, amongst all the debates and questions, the Government will make two requests of the House.
One adds another week of work to their work calendar for 2018. Parliament was slated to end on December 13th, but the Government apparently have a long to do list still to tick off and will ask for an extra couple of days the following week (December 19th) before they break out the sun screen and deck chairs.
Along with that adjustment to the 2018 sitting calendar (Parliament’s meeting schedule), the House will also vote on whether to approve the draft schedule for 2019.
The second request is for a change to when the budget can be read next year.
Parliament’s rules say it has to be on a Thursday. But because there is often legislation that needs to be enacted immediately (especially adjustments to taxes or excise) this means that the House goes into urgency and often sits on the Friday and even the Saturday.
The leader of the House, Chris Hipkins argues that if the budget is allowed to be read on a Tuesday that urgency won’t be necessary. So this week the Government will ask the Parliament for permission to ignore that rule.
Check back - we aim to post a daily to-do list to help you keep up to date with likely action in the House. here's Tuesday's.
