Perhaps Scoop spoke too soon.....
While the final election result in terms of numbers can no longer change - with the recount in Tauranga over - breaking
news that ACT has - on deadline - today applied for a Judicial recount in Rangitikei means we could be in for an early
"Millennium" Parliament opening.
The Judicial recount in Tauranga took two days to complete and so it should be easy for Parliament to sit next week.
However Rangitikei is complicated by 105 missing votes and the possibility other irregularities might be found in the
seat.
As the result overall cannot change - though the personality of one MP can - the whole result cannot be declared until
the process is complete.
It seems likely that in a worst case scenario the recount could take seven days and it should be possible to call
Parliament before Christmas - however the planned Tuesday opening could well be delayed.
This is a clear spoiler from the ACT party and if it succeeds could mean an early start for Parliament in the next
Millennium as Parliament has to be called soon after the return of the writs and declaration of the final result.
So back to work for Phil Whelan it is it appears... before he faces his questioners.... he will definitely will deserve
a break after this!
Phew!