“Peter Dunne is the last person who should be criticising the delaying tactics used against the ERB” says Alliance Whip Grant Gillon “It’s the height of hypocrisy to criticise the hundreds of time wasting amendments moved by the Opposition – and then go ahead and vote for nearly all of them!”

Grant Gillon also questions Dunne’s complaints about the $29 million cost of the passage of the ERB. “Most of that amount is MP’s wages which would have been paid regardless. Surely tax payers have got value for money in the last week of urgency with MPs putting in long hours – this is the first time I’ve seen Annabel Young yawning from overwork!”

Grant Gillon says that Employment Relations is important for the country and deserves a thorough debate of the issues.

“Dunne does have a legitimate concern about Parliament being brought into disrepute by frivolous amendments and endless spurious points of order. There are some practical steps that can be taken to limit the filibustering.”

Grant Gillon recommends that there should be time limits on all debates including committee stages. He also says that all amendments should be lodged with the Office of the Clerk before the commencement of the committee stage.

“I hope this issue will be raised at the next meeting of the Standing Orders Committee of Parliament”.

Ends

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