The Legislative Assembly will no longer sit during the week of November 19 to 21, 2019.
The adjustment to the sitting schedule is to accommodate a potential additional sitting in December, to consider possible amendments to Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation by the Legislative Council, if required.
Last year the Legislative Assembly sat for 20 weeks, which is consistent with normal sitting schedules, however the McGowan Government added three sittings weeks for 2019 to accommodate for debate on the Voluntary Assisting Dying Bill and ensure all Members had the opportunity to have their say.
Given the effective passage of the Bill through the Legislative Assembly, one sitting week will now be removed, on the provision it could be reintroduced in December, if necessary.
As stated by Leader of the House David Templeman:
“The McGowan Government’s legislative agenda has passed through efficiently in 2019.
“We always wanted to make sure Members of Parliament had the opportunity to give appropriate consideration to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019.
“Members of the Legislative Assembly all had that opportunity, with the Bill now being debated in the Legislative Council.
“Amendments have already been foreshadowed in the Council, this change will allow for extra days to be allocated later in the year to consider any amendments, should they eventuate.”
