The day in Parliament

Press, 7 August 1985, Page 8

The day in Parliament

PA Wellington Members presented three petitions when Parliament sat at 2 p.m. yesterday. The Minister of Overseas Trade, Mr Moore, presented a petition on behalf of Frederick Anthony Hutton and 292 others. It asked the House to repeal the income tax surcharge placed on the income of national superannuitants and legislate higher rates of tax for those public corporations and companies enjoying high financial returns. Mr R. L. G. Talbot (Nat., Ashburton) presented a petition on behalf of the Ashburton branch of the Nurses’ Association (and 169 others) asking the House to repeal the State Services Conditions of Employment Act, 1983. The Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Wetere, presented the petition of Mrs Diana Mitchell and 57 others asking the House to reject the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. . The annual reports of the Government Stores Board, Maori Education Foundation, National Parks and Reserves Authority, and Department of Social Welfare were tabled. Two notices of motion were presented. Ministers answered six questions of the day and 14 on notice. The Patriotic and Canteen Funds Amendment Bill was introduced and referred to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee. The report of the Justice and Law Reform Committee on the Rape Law Reform Bill (No. 2) was agreed to and the bill set down for a second reading next sitting day. The Insurance Law Reform Bill (No. 2) and the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Amendment Bill were given third readings. The Penal Institution Amendment Bill (No. 2) was given its second reading and set down for committee stages next sitting day. The House went into committee to discuss the Statistics Amendment Bill which was reported without amendment. The bill was set down for a third reading next sitting day. The House resumed for the second reading of the Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Bill. Debate on the second reading of the Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Bill was interrupted when the House adjourned for dinner at 5.30 p.m. The debate continued when the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The bill was given its second reading after a division, won by the Government, 41 votes to 34. Members then began the debate on the second reading of the Education Amendment Bill. The debate was interrupted when the House rose at 11 p.m.