The House rose at 6pm interrupting debate on the second reading of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Amendment Bill.
The bill addresses an issue of regulatory powers and fees which have provoked legal battles, inquiries and deeply
divided the occupations covered by the bill.
Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson expressed extreme anger that Labour said it would oppose the bill
and he mocked their alternative solutions.
The select committee which considered the bill is dominated by Opposition and recommended the bill not pass. The
committee’s chair Ruth Dyson said the minister should listen to the Opposition’s concerns and its ideas on how to heal
the plumbers’ rift.
Earlier the committee stage of the Crown Minerals (Permitting and Crown Land) Bill was completed and reported with amendment.
It made progress by 61 to 59 with National, ACT and United Future in favour.
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