A bill which will allow production at the Maui gas field to continue until its new marine consent process is completed has been passed with wide support with only the Maori Part opposed.
Following Question Time, MPs returned to the third reading of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill.
Last week when Environment Minister Nick Smith began the third reading debate he said it was important to pass the bill to allow Shell Todd Oil Services to continue lawfully operating in the Maui field while it awaits its marine consents under the EEZ regime to be finalised.
Labour’s Megan Woods said Labour would support the bill because of the economic consequences if the bill failed to pass, but blasted the Government for the ongoing need to amend the EEZ legislation.
The bill completed its third reading by 119 to 2 with the Maori Party opposed. No member of the Maori Party spoke in the debate to explain their decision to oppose the bill.
MPs began the committee stages of the Harmful Digital Communications Bill and Environmental Reporting Bill.
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