The Day In Parliament (Press, 7 August 1985)

On 6 August 1985, during a session of Parliament in Wellington, members presented three significant petitions. The Minister of Overseas Trade, Mr Moore, introduced a petition from Frederick Anthony Hutton and 292 others, urging the repeal of an income tax surcharge levied on the income of national superannuitants. The petition also called for higher tax rates on public corporations and companies with substantial financial returns. Additionally, Mr R. L. G. Talbot, representing the National Party from Ashburton, submitted a petition from the Ashburton branch of the Nurses' Association, which was backed by 169 other individuals. This petition requested the repeal of the State Services Conditions of Employment Act, enacted in 1983. The Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Wetere, presented another petition from Mrs Diana Mitchell and 57 others, which sought the rejection of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. During the session, the Parliament tabled the annual reports from the Government Stores Board, Maori Education Foundation, National Parks and Reserves Authority, and the Department of Social Welfare. Two motions were also presented for discussion. Members of the government answered a total of 20 questions, including six that were pertinent for the day and 14 that had been given notice prior. The Patriotic and Canteen Funds Amendment Bill was introduced and assigned to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee for further examination. The Justice and Law Reform Committee submitted a report on the Rape Law Reform Bill (No. 2), which was approved, and the bill was scheduled for a second reading on the following sitting day. Furthermore, the Insurance Law Reform Bill (No. 2) and the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Amendment Bill received their third readings. The Penal Institution Amendment Bill (No. 2) underwent its second reading and was earmarked for committee discussions in the next sitting. The House also convened to deliberate on the Statistics Amendment Bill, which was reported back without amendments and scheduled for a third reading next session. The session progressed to the second reading of the Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Bill, which was interrupted for dinner at 5.30 p.m. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m., the debate continued, culminating in the bill's approval after a division that resulted in a government victory with 41 votes to 34. Following this, members engaged in discussion on the second reading of the Education Amendment Bill, which was interrupted when the House adjourned at 11 p.m.

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