9. JUDITH COLLINS (National—Clevedon) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What progress has been made on the Social Security (Long-term Residential Care) Amendment Bill?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
I understand that the bill has been reported back.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The advice I have received is that one of my colleagues was tied up in another select committee and therefore there was a tied vote. However, unfortunately for the member, the current Leader of the House had the prescience in 1996 to ensure that such bills were reported back without amendment, and the House can subsequently consider them in the Committee of the whole House.
Anne TolleyHas the chairman of the Social Services Committee admitted to him yet that, despite Labour having the majority on the committee, the bill was voted down because Mrs Pillay was late that day, and has Mr Barnett, the senior Government whip, admitted that he walked out before the vote, thinking everything was under control?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
As the amendments that had been put are all in favour of the general public, we rather thought the National Party would be sensible enough to vote in favour of the bill.
Paula BennettDoes the Minister ever consult the chair of the Social Services Committee regarding the likely fate of his bills in that committee; if so, what advice has the chair given him?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I am sure the member does, I am sure the Minister does, and I am sure members are given good advice. I can assure the member that the bill will be coming to the House, a Supplementary Order Paper will be moved in the Committee of the whole House, and then we shall find out whether the Opposition will vote against taking back from 28 days to 90 days the benefits within the bill.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
After careful deliberation, the bill is reported back without amendment, but this is not something we will cry about.
Is the Minister confident that the bill will pass through its remaining stages, or is it likely that his party will forget to have the numbers during the Committee stage as well?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
In just over a year the Opposition has had one small victory in one select committee, with a tied vote. It has not quite reached the point where those members can say: “We won. You lost. Eat that!”.