The first General Debate and Members’ Day will be held today including two contentious bills.
Following the completion of the Debate in Reply to the Prime Minister’s Statement last week, this Wednesday becomes the
first opportunity to make progress on Members’ bills.
The one hour General Debate will follow Question Time and then the second reading debate on the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill will take place.
The bill was introduced in 2010 and since then the Manukau City Council has been merged into the wider Auckland Council.
The purpose of this bill is to authorise the Auckland Council to make bylaws prohibiting the business of prostitution or
commercial sexual services in specified public places.
The select committee had many problems grappling with the bill and has recommended it not proceed.
This debate will be followed by the third reading of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill.
The House is divided on the bill and on current voting patterns, and due to the resignation of Mike Sabin, the vote
would be 60 to 60. This would mean the bill would fail, however even if this changed and there was a majority the bill
was gutted in the committee stage and contains no substantive clauses.
Other business includes the second readings of the Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill and the Social Security (Clothing Allowances for Orphans and Unsupported Children) Amendment Bill.
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