Labour has expressed severe concerns over Speaker Gerry Brownlee's handling of a government amendment.
Labour Shadow Leader of the House Kieran McAnulty stated that Speaker Brownlee made an unprecedented decision on the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night, disregarding advice from the Clerk and the Presiding Officer. This move has raised serious constitutional questions about the bill's passage and potential benefits to 149 individuals and companies. McAnulty claims the Speaker failed to reference any previous rulings in his decision-making process.
The Labour Party believes this action undermines democratic principles and suggests that a change benefiting private parties should be reviewed through the Private Bill process, as seen with the Paige Harris Birth Registration Bill which received unanimous support. McAnulty urged Speaker Brownlee to reconsider his ruling and its implications on Parliament's functioning.