The House met at 2.00 pm.
1. Introduction of distinguished visitor
The Speaker informed the House that Hon Tu’ilakepa, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Kingdom of Tonga, was within the precincts of the Chamber. The Speaker was welcomed with applause and accorded a seat on the left of the Chair.
2. Death of former member
The Speaker advised the House of the death on 25 July 2009 of Hon Herbert Elmer Lorraine Pickering QSO, a former member of the House of Representatives.
The Speaker expressed on behalf of the House the sense of loss sustained and sympathy with the relatives of the late former member, and members stood and observed a period of silence as a mark of respect to his memory.
4. Select committee reports
The presentation of 46 reports was announced.
The following bills were set down for second reading:
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Gangs and Organised Crime Bill
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Road User Charges Amendment Bill
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Eden Park Trust Amendment Bill
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Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill.
The following reports were set down for consideration:
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Report from the Controller and Auditor-General on an Inquiry into immigration matters
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International treaty examination of the Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and the Protocol of 2005 to the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf
(see Related links for select committee reports).
6. Government orders of the day
Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill
Hon Peter Dunne moved, and the question was proposed, That the Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill be now read a first time.
On the question, That the bill be now read a first time, the votes were recorded as follows:
Motion agreed to.
The Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill was read a first time and stood referred to a select committee.
Resolved, That the Finance and Expenditure Committee consider the Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill, that the committee report finally to the House on or before 16 November 2009, and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions), during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House, and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House, despite Standing Orders 187, and 190(1)(b) and (c) (Hon Dr Wayne Mapp for Hon Peter Dunne).
Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill
The Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill was read a first time and stood referred to a select committee.
Resolved, That the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee consider the bill (Hon Dr Wayne Mapp for Hon Georgina te Heuheu).
Building Amendment Bill (No 2)
The House resumed the interrupted debate on the question, That the Building Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a third time.
The Building Amendment Bill (No 2) was read a third time.
Inquiries Bill
The House resumed the interrupted debate on the question, That the Inquiries Bill be now read a first time.
The Inquiries Bill was read a first time and stood referred to a select committee.
Resolved, That the Government Administration Committee consider the bill (Hon Christopher Finlayson for Hon Nathan Guy).
