Week in the House dominated by urgency, which was accorded on Tuesday for the passing through all stages of the Housing Legislation Amendment Bill. However, the Government's plans to see the bill passed quickly were dealt a blow when the Opposition put up a series of amendments to it during its committee stage - all of which had to be debated before the third reading. While none of the opposition's proposed amendments managed to pass, the bill itself did just before 11pm on Wednesday night - the National Party joined by ACT and United Future to see it sent off for royal assent with a one-vote majority.
Back on track on Thursday, the Government managed to pass the final readings of two more bills: the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) Bill passed by 107 votes to 14 with only the Greens opposed, while the Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Standardised Packaging) Amendment Bill passed by 108 votes to 13 with New Zealand First and Act opposed. Select committee meetings were rescheduled several times due to urgency, though the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee met to hear submissions on the Maritime Crimes Amendment Bill, with submitters including Feroze Brailsford expressing concern that peaceful protesters could be charged as terrorists; Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee gives a preview of the week ahead.
