The Day In Parliament (Press, 10 July 1985)

On 9 July 1985, Parliament resumed its session in Wellington, where the Speaker, Dr Wall, announced several messages from Governor-General Sir David Beattie during the afternoon meeting. Among the key developments was the royal assent granted to the Social Security Amendment Act, the College House Act, and the Stockman-Howe Marriage Act. Dr Wall also noted that appropriations for the Statistics Amendment Bill, the Copyright Amendment Bill, and the Transport Amendment Bill (No. 4) had been recommended by Sir David. Additionally, Dr Wall granted leave to several members, including Prime Minister David Lange, who had been absent the previous week due to a holiday in Australia. This prompted an order raised by Opposition member A. P. D. Friedlander regarding the Prime Minister's leave. During the session, petitions against the Homosexual Law Reform Bill were presented by Mrs Katherine O'Regan on behalf of Milo Candy and others from Otorohanga, as well as John Parr and Maurice Pryor, underscoring local opposition to the proposed legislation. Further significant contributions came from the Minister of Transport, Mr Prebble, who tabled Air New Zealand's annual report. Mr Marshall, the Minister for the Environment, also presented the report from the Commission for the Environment. In total, 21 notices of motion were presented, and ministers responded to 20 questions raised by the members. A notable report was made by Mr F. M. Gerbic, chairman of the Labour and Education Committee, which addressed a petition from Maureen Bamford of the New Zealand School Committees’ Federation and over 4000 supporting signatures. The petition advocated for improved access to reading recovery programmes for all six-year-olds with reading disabilities, which was referred to the Government for consideration. Mr Gerbic also reported on a petition led by Jessica Wilson, president of the New Zealand University Students’ Association. This petition, supported by 2851 signatures, called for the immediate abolition of the $1500 fee for private overseas students and urged the Government not to implement the previous administration's "cost recovery" fees proposal. This petition was likewise referred for the Government's favourable consideration. The Education Amendment Bill was brought back for discussion, where members voted overwhelmingly, 58-10, in favour of it, setting the stage for a second reading. The House adjourned for dinner at 5.26 p.m., with debate on the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) scheduled to resume later. The evening session reconvened at 7.30 p.m. but was interrupted as Parliament adjourned for the day at 10.29 p.m.

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