Parliament has expressed its deep concern at events in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully who put forward the motion said Russia’s occupation of parts of Crimea were a breach of its treaties and international law.
The Government had expressed its alarm at the escalation of tensions to the Russian Ambassador in New Zealand.
New Zealand wished for the return of Russian troops to their bases and a return to diplomacy to find a solution to tensions.
Labour’s foreign affairs spokesman David Shearer said New Zealand had always been a strong supporter of international law which Russia was now in breach of.
Russian troops should withdraw and moves be taken to early elections in Ukraine, he said.
All parties spoke in favour of the motion which passed on a voice vote.
A petition asking the House to prevent the creation of a marine reserve off Waiheke Island was presented as was the Actuarial Valuation of the Government Superannuation Fund as at 30 June 2013.
A number of select committee reports were presented, including:
Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months’ Paid Leave) Amendment Bill by the Government Administration Committee
Victims’ Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill by the Law and Order Committee
Complaint regarding the Civil Aviation Charges Regulations (No 2) 1991 Amendment Regulations 2012 by the Regulations Review Committee
2012/13 financial review of Airways Corporation of New Zealand Limited, the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, Maritime New Zealand, and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission by the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee
2012/13 financial review of Nelson Malborough District Health Board, the Northland District Health Board, the Tairawhiti District Health Board, the Taranaki District Health Board, the Waikato District Health Board, the Wairarapa District Health Board as reported by the Health Committee
2012/13 financial review of the Health Quality and Safety Commission, the Health Research Council of New Zealand, the New Zealand Blood Service, and the Pharmaceutical Management Agency by the Health Committee
Complaint regarding the New Zealand (Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code) Food Standards 2002, Amendment No 53 by the Regulations Review Committee
Petition 2011/36 of Gayleen Mackereth on behalf of the Howick Ratepayers and Residents Association by the Local Government and Environment Committee
Register of Pecuniary Interests of Judges Bill by the Justice and Electoral Committee
Report from the Controller and Auditor-General, Inquiry into the Mangawhai community wastewater scheme, Report from the Controller and Auditor-General, Summary: Inquiry into the Mangawhai community wastewater scheme by the Local Government and Environment Committee
2012/13 financial review of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Board, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (Pouhere Taonga), the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa, and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission by the Government Administration Committee
2012/13 financial review of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission by the Government Administration Committee
MPs then began Question Time.
**
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
