2. GARETH HUGHES (Green) Link to this
to the Chairperson of the Local Government and Environment Committee
When will the committee report on the Marine Reserves Bill?
CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (Chairperson of the Local Government and Environment Committee) Link to this
The current reporting date for the Marine Reserves Bill is 30 December 2010.
At the risk of sounding like a parrot, I say the member will be aware that further information on the committee’s consideration of this item of business remains confidential until the committee makes its final report to the House.
Metiria TureiI raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I understand the need to have a defensive answer, but that was not an answer; it did not address the issue. A more reasonable answer could—[ Interruption]
Mr SPEAKERAn answer that does address the question could be made. That answer certainly was not one that did so.
The area of what is confidential to the committee is a very difficult area. If the committee has made a decision with regard to hearing further submissions, it may well be that that matter is confidential to the committee. But what would not breach confidentiality, in my view, would be to give an indication of whether further submissions have been called for. Because the chair of the committee has a role in calling for submissions, I think it is reasonable that the chair of the committee answers questions in respect of calling for submissions. I do not want to be unduly unfair on the member, because he is quite right that decisions of the committee are confidential. But chairs have a particular role with regard to calling for submissions, so it may be possible to indicate whether the intention is to call for further submissions.