MPs will debate the committee stage of the Psychoactive Substances Bill when Parliament sits this afternoon.
There is general support for the substance of the bill, which seeks to put a regulatory regime in place for “legal highs”, however many parties are strongly opposed to the use of animals in testing whether to see the drugs are safe.
The Government argues it has reduced the potential use of animals as far as possible, but this is not satisfactory for many MPs.
Most counts have an amendment to the bill banning animal testing tying at 60 all with ACT MP John Banks voting in favour and Labour being one MP down still as it waits for the swearing in of the late Parekura Horomia’s successor.
Following this will be the third readings of the Legal Assistance Amendment Bill and State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill, both divided into a number of bills.
**
ParliamentToday.co.nz is a breaking news source for New Zealand parliamentary business featuring broadcast daily news reports.
Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
Original url
