Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, and it relates to oversight. The British parliament is sitting. Both the British government and parliamentary authorities have been clear that they have no plans to shut parliament and would prefer to avoid this course of action. Speaking in the Commons on 16 March, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, stated:

… I think the whole House will be sure, in our collective decision, that although Parliament may have to operate differently, it must remain open.

The US Congress is sitting. The Italian Senate and the Spanish Cortes are sitting. Despite its coronavirus committee, the New Zealand parliament resumes on 28 April with modified processes and procedures. The only parliaments I am aware of that have adjourned in the manner that the government is proposing tonight are those of the legislatures of Mexico, South Africa and San Marino. Why is the government seeking to suspend our parliament?