Add the Backbencher on
The Government has a notice of motion on the order paper:
3. Hon GERRY BROWNLEE to move, That, pursuant to section 25(1) of the Parliamentary Service Act 2000, this House add the following premises to the parliamentary precincts:
All that part of the mezzanine level of the buildings situated at 1 and 3 The Terrace, Wellington as comprised within Certificates of Title WN41C/804 and WN41C/805, having a net lettable area of 477.2 square metres as more particularly shown on the plan attached to the lease between AMP NZ Office 1 The Terrace Limited and the Parliamentary Corporation, dated 12 August 2009.
Now all we need is an amendment that says:
And all that part of the building situated at 34 Molesworth Street, legally described as Lot 2 DP 318644, having a net area of 493 square metres.
Then MPs can go to the Backbencher without it being regarded as having left the parliamentary precinct (which affects voting in the House).
UPDATE: Sadly the motion has been passed without my Backbencher update, but I can report one amusing exchange passed onto me:
As Gerry was reading it out, Darren Hughes was listening diligently. Gerry reached “having a net lettable area of 477.2 square metres ” and Darren suddenly chirped up with: ”’Aaaah – the member’s pantry.”
Heh.
December 15th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Gerry has only a few supporters in Christchurch.
Over in Fendalton they vote for him because they don’t know what else to do.
He will receive a serious charismatic challenge in the next election,
details later.
December 15th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Kudos to the ginga… that’s quite witty.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
David no good telling us after the thing has been dealt with. Lots of pubs near the Commons have bells to get MPs back for votes.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
What we need here of course Trev is beds with bells to get you back to work.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Don’t forget to include the press gallery at the Occidental.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Darren Hughes has a rapier wit.
Is it too late to vote for him for best Labour MP?
I guess it looks as thought the PM has that all sewn up.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Mum
If you are a fat bastard or have red hair I guess it pays to have a rapier wit, either that or be a bloody good scraper.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Did we vote these clowns into Parliament to work or to booze?
If they want to drink up large the constituency MPs should do it in their electorates with voters to keep in touch. The list MPs should be drinking in the constituencies of rival parties to get in touch with voters.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
He gets it from his uncle Steve!
December 15th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
yea, there was a time when MPs liked a drink with their voters, not at some cafe in an inner area of Auckland or Lambton quay but in provincial new zealand.
December 16th, 2009 at 8:22 am
True Biomag83, and that was until some lowlife decided it would be fun to record some “off-the-record” conversations and get 5 seconds of fame by leaking the tapes to the media.
The few generally stuff it for the many sadly to say (and unfortunately suffer no consequences fro doing so.)
December 16th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Yeah this is great, we’re paying these pricks for their “rapier wit”.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:29 am
So where is GD?
It is 09.30 already…
December 16th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Now it may interest you to know that under the Backbencher pub is a tunnel which can be accessed from a trapdoor in the main bar.It travels under the road and half way to Parliament.I feel that is close enough to make it Parliamentary precincts .True story
December 16th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I dont get the joke?
THis is the Reserve Bank Bldg.
WHat does parliament need the space for ?
I thought Bowen House had plenty of room or is that ‘lean but highly paid’ Ministerial staff expanding
December 16th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
RB is No 2 the Terrace. No 1 is Treasury and it has had overflow from Prlt since at least the early 90s.