Points of Order

Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) Link to this

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. On the very large emissions trading bill, on which we have had three major Supplementary Order Papers with a total of over 780 amendments, I have two points I wish to raise. The first is in respect of Standing Order 258, “Explanatory notes”. It seems extraordinary to me that Parliament, on the most important bill of this term, has received these very large Supplementary Order Papers from the Minister that contain no more of an explanatory note than the statement “This Supplementary Order Paper amends” the climate change bill. We are being asked to consider 785 amendments, with no more of an explanation than that they amend the climate change bill.

My second point is that in the wake of that, I wish to move a motion that the bill and the Supplementary Order Papers be referred back to the Finance and Expenditure Committee. I seek leave to do that.