Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) - New Zealand Parliament

3700 Local Government (Auckland Reorganisation) Bill 16 May 2009
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South): I raise a point of order, Mr
Chairperson. Can I just get absolute clarity here. My recollection—and I am absolutely
clear on this—is that Mr Barker, when in the Chair, had not accepted the closure
motion. He had not said he was going to put the question, and he had not started to put
it. Many of us are of the view that it would have been better if he had put the question,
but that is not the case. He was thinking about whether he was going to accept the
motion. He had not accepted it in terms of the Standing Orders and Speakers’ rulings.
Therefore, the parts that are being lodged now are valid.
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I do not think it would be too
hard to go directly to Hansard to clear up this matter. My clear recollection is that Mr
Barker said the words “The question is that the question be now put.” At that point, Mr
Hide raised a point of order to suspend the proceedings. Once the suspension has been
lifted, clearly we should go back to the point at which the Chair was about to proceed
with the vote. I do not think there is a question about whether the Chair intended to take
the motion. He, in fact, accepted the closure motion and was in the process of putting
the question. Hansard will show that the words “The question is that the question be
now put.” were uttered. Mr Hide’s postponement at that point means that, naturally, we
would go back to that point once the suspension has been lifted.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South): I do not feel any need to go
back to Hansard at this point. My recollection is different from that of Gerry Brownlee.
I know that Gerry Brownlee is an honourable member, and I am prepared to accept his
word. If that was what happened—I cannot remember it—then I accept his word that
that was the case.
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): I have been advised that the closure motion
was still live. That was where the debate on new Part 5 was postponed. We now come
back to the position where the Hon Darren Hughes moved the closure motion. We will
continue from that point.
New Part 5 Mechanisms to ensure representation of Maori, Pacific and Ethnic
groups in the reorganisation of the Auckland Council (continued)
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): I put the closure motion on Part 5.
Motion agreed to.
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Rodney
Hide to the amendment to add new Part 5 in the name of the Hon Parekura Horomia be
agreed to:
to omit clause 71.
A party vote was called for on the question, That the amendment to the amendment
be agreed to.
Ayes 64
New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1.
Noes 43
New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 7; Māori Party 4.
Amendment to the amendment agreed to.
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): There are a number of amendments in the
name of the Hon Parekura Horomia. These are ruled out of order as they are
inconsistent with the previous decision of the Committee.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South): I raise a point of order, Mr
Chairperson. I have obviously just got a copy of the Minister’s amendment, and I