Alcohol Speech Compromise Reached

Parties have agreed to a compromise over the number of speeches that can be given in this afternoon’s debate on the Alcohol Reform Bill.

MPs are due to return to debate on the committee stage of the bill after Question Time and the General Debate today.

Last night there was both confusion and anger as the House tried to work its way through the complex legislation and a convoluted voting process.

As MPs were about to begin debate on part three of the bill (which amongst other things covers licensing requirements, minimum pricing proposals and Local Area Plans), Chairman Lindsay Tisch initially determined there would be separate debates and votes on five subject areas in the part. After hurried discussions, he then said the Business Committee had ruled there would be one debate which would limit each MP to four calls.

The difference between the two could have added more than 10 hours debate to one part of the 11 part bill.

The problem for Opposition MPs and in particular Labour’s Lianne Dalziel was that this would mean they would only get a maximum of four speeches to cover all subjects in the bill.

Last night leave to allow parties’ spokespeople to have more calls was declined, however when Parliament resumed today talks between the parties resulted in leave being sought for one MP to have up to six calls on part three – and leave was granted.

The Ministry for the Environment's Annual report for the year ended 30 June 2012 was then presented and MPs began Question Time.

**
ParliamentToday.co.nz is a breaking news source for New Zealand parliamentary business featuring broadcast daily news reports.

© Scoop Media