Today is a Member's Day, and one which is likely to be quite exciting. First up is David Clark's Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Bill, which (as noted yesterday) seems likely to pass to select committee against the wishes of the government. This will be a major defeat for the government, and all the sweeter given that its inthe area of workers' rights. After that there is a non-controversial bill to repeal some outdated legislation (which ought to whizz through), and Lianne Dalziel's Illegal Contracts (Unlawful Limitation on Regulators' Powers) Amendment Bill (which you'd hope will do the same), then its on to the other controversial issue: extending paid parental leave. National likewise opposes this, and has even lied about the costs in an effort to make it seem unaffordable, but it also looks set to advance. The government is also threatening to use its financial veto at the third reading, and that promises a major constitutional shitfight about the balance of power between Parliament and the executive. It will be interesting to see how that turns out, and whether the principle of Parliamentary rule is upheld, or whether the government will be able to act undemocratically to veto a policy despite it having majority support in the House.
The House will probably make a start on Holly Walker's Lobbying Disclosure Bill as well, which means a ballot for four more bills tomorrow. And with bills for marriage equality and voluntary euthanasia in the ballot, that could get very interesting indeed.
