Three bills are planned for the final sitting day of the week including winter energy payments, fire service levies and changes to ACC.
Two of the three sitting days each sitting-week finish at 10pm but Thursdays go from 2pm to 6pm. There's still question time and legislation to work through so below is proposed plan.
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Question time - 2pm
Up to 12 questions to Ministers from other MPs in the House. Opposition MPs will use questions to try an expose flaws in the Government while backbench government MPs can ask patsy/softer questions so a Minister can boast about their achievements.
The Speaker keeps a close watch on question time to make sure the rules aren't broken and to keep tabs on supplementary (follow-up) questions.
Winter Energy Payments - second reading
What:
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This bill makes sure that social security legislation allows the payment of the Winter Energy Payments that the government has planned for this year.
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Payments are planned for the 22-week period starting on 1 May 2019 and will be automatically paid to many beneficiaries and pensioners.
Who:
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Social Development Minister, Carmel Sepuloni is the minister in charge.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Funding fire and emergency services
What:
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The second reading of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill
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It give more time for insurers and brokers to comply with a new levy-based system introduced under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017.
Why:
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Fire and Emergency New Zealand is mainly funded by a levy on contracts of insurance where property is insured against the risk of fire. Changes were made to the levy under the last Government and this bill changes the date for compliance from 1 July 2019 to 1 July 2021 with the option to bring that forward a year to July 2020 if they want to,.
Who:
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The Minister for Internal Affairs Tracey Martin is in charge.
New Zealand First MPs Ron Mark and Tracey Martin listen to a ruling the Speaker Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Tidying up ACC - third reading
Minister for ACC Iain Lees-Galloway Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
What:
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This bill aims to tidy up inconsistencies between different pieces of legislation and keep the regulations up to date and relevant.
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It will make several changes including allowing surviving spouses to receive up to five years of weekly compensation regardless of age, and disestablishing the Accident Compensation Appeal Authority, which hears cases under the 1972 and 1982 Accident Compensation legislation.
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A third stage is the final debate before a bill is approved as law.
Who:
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The Minister for ACC Iain Lees-Galloway
You can see what the House manages to get through each day on the Parliament website here.
