18 Feb 2020

Parliament this week: The debate on the Prime Minister’s statement continues

From The House , 6:55 pm on 18 February 2020

MPs will be busy debating topics including polytechnics, voting, and the Government’s plan as Parliament enters its second sitting week of the year writes Irra Lee.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in the House.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in the House. Photo: VNP / Irra Lee

The Prime Minister’s statement

This week the House will continue to debate the Government’s work programme for the year, outlined in the Prime Minister’s statement.

The Statement was introduced last Wednesday and a total of thirteen hours over multiple weeks are allocated for the debate.

The Leader of the House and Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said the debate will give Parliament a chance to “really scrutinise” the Government’s plans for the year in a more general way than usual.

“The rest of the programme in the House tends to be about specific issues, so a particular piece of legislation,” Mr Hipkins said. 

“Therefore, the debate’s more constrained.” 

The debate will eventually culminate in a vote on the Prime Minister’s plan for the year. 

If it fails to pass, this indicates the House’s lack of confidence in the Government. A Government without the House’s confidence must resign or seek a general election.

However, this isn’t likely due to coalition arrangements and confidence and supply agreements that makes sure the Government retains enough support in the House. 

Reforming vocational education and training

Labour MP and Leader of the House Chris Hipkins

Labour MP and Leader of the House Chris Hipkins Photo: © VNP / Phil Smith

What: Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill

Who: Chris Hipkins 

Mr Hipkins said his Bill looks at encouraging people into trades and filling skill shortages. 

This Bill also seeks to unify the country’s polytechnics and bring together on-the-job and off-the-job training.

It has reached the Committee stage of the whole House, giving MPs the chance to consider it in detail and propose amendments in time for its April 1 deadline.

Setting the stage for this year’s general election

Minister of Justice Andrew Little answers questions on the 2020 Cannabis Referendum

Minister of Justice Andrew Little Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox

What: Electoral Amendment Bill

Who: Andrew Little

The Bill seeks to introduce changes to electoral rules to “improve enrolment and voting processes to better enfranchise voters”.

One of its proposals seeks to remove some restrictions on where voting can take place. 

It also looks to allow voters to enrol or update their details on election day. 

“It will mean that we’ll have fewer disqualified votes,” Mr Hipkins said.

“The sooner we get that passed, the sooner people will know what the rules are for the forthcoming general election, and I think we want to have that happen sooner rather than later.”

Other business

Also on Parliament’s agenda for the week is the second reading of Minister of Police Stuart Nash’s Arms Legislation Bill that aims to “impose tighter controls on the use and possession of arms” and Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa’s Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill which seeks to change the funding for carers.

Other business later in the week include the first reading of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill and the second reading of the Taxation (KiwiSaver, Student Loans, and Remedial Matters) Bill