Johnny Blades

It’s the norm following the delivery of the Budget for the House to go into urgency, when government moves through legislation directly related to the Budget and some other stuff too.

A member’s bill freshly picked from the biscuit tin is like a rough diamond waiting to be shaped, according to the MP behind the latest member’s bill on the order paper.

The Minister of Finance talks us through the ceremonial nature of the delivery of the Budget in Parliament.

Because a private bill addresses a specific matter particular to just one person it offers a more mellow and reflective style of parliament debate.

The latest from the House

A rare series of square-offs between Opposition Leader Chris Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni in her capacity as Acting Prime Minister became repetitive.

Parliament’s Health Select Committee has heard from people petitioning for Tourette Syndrome to be recognised by the Ministry of Health as a disability in its own right in this country.

Their work is usually unpaid and sometimes overlooked, but activists play an important long-term role in the parliament system. Four veterans open up on their experiences at parliament.

Legislation on alcohol went to a conscience vote this week, and the result was a reminder how some parties still tend to vote as a group on such issues.