MPs have finished off a 19-hour debate on the Governor General's Speech from the Throne which was delivered last year.
Green MP Teanau Tuiono give his maiden speech at Parliament Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Technically the Address in Reply debate is about sending a message to the Sovereign’s representative (the Governor General) in response to their Speech from the Throne. That speech outlines the government’s plan for the next three years (this speech was actually written by the Prime Minister’s office, the Governor General just reads it out).
It’s the first major debate a new Parliament has and it gives MPs a chance to talk about the issues they think are important.
For new MPs, this is the debate where they give their maiden speech, a 15-minute long call where they share their values, background, and intentions for their time at Parliament.
- Meet the new MPs: Labour
- Meet the new MPs: ACT
- Meet the new MPs: Green
- Meet the new MPs: Te Pāti Māori
To start the debate a motion has to be moved (basically a suggestion of a topic/issue to be talked about) and this is always given to a new MP. This year the Address in Reply Debate was moved by Labour MP Arena Williams and seconded (supported) by Labour MP Ibrahim Omer.
Following these two new speeches are 30 minute long speeches from the leaders of parties with six or more MPs beginning with the leader of the opposition, followed by the Prime Minister.
Unlike most debates which require MPs to stick to the issue, this debate is wide-ranging and returning MPs tend to use it as an extension of the election campaign.
The full speeches can be found on Parliament's website but essentially the opposition MPs speeches boil down to 'government bad' with government party MPs saying 'government good'.
The debate is split up over several sitting days so the House can work on other business which is why it only finished this week despite starting last November.
There's a technical purpose to the Address in Reply Debate - it serves as an expression of the House’s loyalty to the Crown and commitment to holding the government accountable to what was promised in the Speech from the Throne.
For members of the public, MPs' speeches in this debate is an easy way to find out what that MP thinks is a core issue for this parliamentary term.
The new National MPs are yet to give their maiden statements but will do so next week.
