Sitting Programme Confirmed Despite Opposition

Parliament has approved the House’s sitting programme until the end of 2015 despite opposition from NZ First.

After Question Time MPs debated the Business Committee’s recommended sitting programme for the remainder of 2014 and for 2015.

Deputy Leader of the House Simon Bridges said the programme approved by the Business Committee was a sensible one which showed the Government would be working hard.

Labour’s shadow Leader of the House Chris Hipkins said it was good to get the sitting programme for next year out early as it would allow for planning.

Winston Peters said NZ First opposed the motion as National wanted an early and long holiday when there were issues such as a housing shortage to be dealt with by Parliament. The House should sit until December 24, he said.

The House is set to rise on December 10 and resume on February 10.

A number of MPs pointed out through interjections that NZ First sat on the Business Committee and had agreed with the sitting programme then.

The motion was approved by 110 to 11 with NZ First opposed.

Parliament then voted in a favour of a motion from Sue Moroney – “That this House note the tragic deaths of Peggy Turuhira Noble and Susan Leigh Cleveland at the Ashburton Work and Income office on Monday, 1 September 2014 and extend to their families, the deepest sympathies of this House with our heartfelt acknowledgement that they died in their public sector workplace while serving in the interests of their community.”

MPs returned to the interrupted first reading debate of the Gambling Amendment Bill (No 3).

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