JOHN KEY (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
I move, That this House condemns the gross acts of violence committed against leaders of the parliamentary opposition in Zimbabwe; deplores the failure of the Mugabe regime to respect human rights or uphold the rule of law; and calls upon those nations that have previously given protection and support to the Mugabe regime to join the rest of the international community in calling for an end to the violence and a move to parliamentary democracy in that country. The National Party—
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. It was conveyed through the member’s office that leave was sought for a non-debatable motion. That means that no speeches are given by anybody; the motion is moved and then put.
Madam SPEAKERWhen the member moved, he did not qualify it, but that was presumably the assumption that the member has sought the leave on.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
There is an agreement amongst whips that leave is sought for these matters. My office was notified that leave would be sought for a non-debatable motion. Actually, the member did not seek to move it, at all. If I want to be picky, I would point out that he merely sought leave to table the motion. He has yet to seek leave to actually move it.