Member's Day: Finally, some first readings

Today is a Member's Day, and finally we are getting some first readings. First, though, the House has to complete the third reading of Tangi Utikere's Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill. After that, it will finish the first reading debate on Tāmati Coffey's Improving Arrangements for Surrogacy Bill. After that, its some new stuff, with Nicole McKee's Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) (Definition of Significant Criminal Activity) Amendment Bill, James McDowall's Education and Training (Freedom of Expression) Amendment Bill, and Deborah Russell's Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Bill all lined up for first reading. If the House moves quickly, it might also make a start on Ian McKelvie's Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Exemption for Race Meetings) Amendment Bill.

First readings means there will finally be a ballot tomorrow, likely for three bills. Interestingly, National's Simon O'Connor has put in a Modern Slavery Reporting Bill, in an effort to sabotage the government's current consultation and put in weak standards rather than strong ones. While any progress is better than none, I'd expect it to be significantly strengthened in committee if drawn.