Time Runs Out On Estimates Debate

The Government ran out of time to complete the Estimates Debate tonight with other business delaying progress.

The Appropriation (2012/13 Estimates) Bill was on top of the Order Paper with three hours and 40 minutes remaining in the set piece debate.

However debate on two ministerial motions and an urgent debate meant the committee stage debate was not able to be completed and the House rose at 10pm with less than half an hour remaining.

The Estimates Debate is part of parliamentary scrutiny of the Government’s budget and gives MPs a chance to focus on individual Votes.

Opposition MPs focussed on a number of areas including Vote: Social Development and Vote: Education.

Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta attacked the Government over National Standards and charter schools, saying the latter policy would result in poor education standards due to the use of unqualified teachers.

Minister in the Chair, Craig Foss, defended the policy saying the current system was failing up to 30 percent of pupils and new ways had to be found to solve the problem.

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