The House: Snap Debates And Urgency

The House has seen scheduled business delayed this evening with two snap debates taking up time earmarked for Government business.

The first on the purchase of F16 planes saw Labour express concern at the move as they felt it was unfairly tying the hands of a future Government to a policy decision that Labour for one did not agree with. The Government said the purchase was a good one and long overdue. The Defence Minister, Max Bradford, accused Labour of being anti-American.

After this debate another was held on the use of Maori in the House. Parliament has long allowed Maori to be used by speakers at any time, however the adminstrators of Parliament have yet to have an interpreter on hand at all times for simultaneous translation.

Shortly after 8pm, the House was put into urgency to complete legislation associated with the Budget and the ‘issues stage’ of the Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill (No 2).

The House will rise at 10pm tonight and continue tomorrow morning.

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