Corruption And Xenophobia Accusations

Accusations of corruption and incompetence briefly livened up the House on Thursday afternoon as MPs endured the current Urgency sitting.

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters used parliamentary privilege to attack immigration officials and policies in a speech on the first reading of the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2).

National’s Mike Sabin said Peters was a xenophobe seeking publicity.

The bill completed its first reading by 111 to 7 with 1 abstention, NZ First opposed and Mana abstained, and the bill was sent to Transport and Industrial Relations committee.

After the vote on this bill leave was granted to record in the Journal of the House that Labour, NZ First, Greens, Mana and Brendon Horan had intended to vote against Housing NZ reform legislation.

MPs also completed the first reading of the Parole Amendment Bill by 104 to 15 with the Greens, Mana and Brendan Horan opposed and the bill was sent to the Law and Order Committee

The Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill also completed its first reading and was sent to the Justice and Electoral Committee on a voice vote.

The House then adjourned at 5.45pm for a one week break, before the final sitting of the year takes place.

Earlier the Medicines Amendment Bill completed its third reading on a voice vote.

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