Gordon Copeland

Thursday, 22nd November 2007

Government declares Kiwisaver Bill to be an issue of Confidence

Acting Prime Minister Dr Michael Cullen, has today formerly advised Independent MP Gordon Copeland that the Taxation (Annual Rates, Business Taxation, Kiwisaver, and Remedial Matters) Bill is an issue of confidence in the Government.

This fairly unusual procedure has been taken to ensure that the Government will hold Mr Copeland's proxy in favour of the Bill and arises because his proxy is split between the Government and National.

"The Government hold my proxy on matters of confidence and supply," said Mr Copeland, "but I have given National my proxy on all other Bills."

"These arrangements make it necessary, in respect of individual bills, for a determination to be made as to whether they fall within the definition of 'confidence and supply'. That definition is not straightforward."

For example the Taxation (Annual Rates, Business Taxation, Kiwisaver, and Remedial Matters) Bill is not regarded as part of supply (but the annual rates part of the Bill is a question of confidence) so that the Government does not hold my proxy for the 2nd reading of the Bill."

"However since the Government want my vote on the Bill, they have resolved the matter by declaring the Bill to be 'an issue of confidence in the Government'."

"I'm happy about that since I strongly support the business tax cuts and the enhanced Kiwisaver provisions contained in the Bill."

ENDS

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