Proceedings on Ministerial Statement

Mr Speaker, Sir, before I proceed with the Ministerial Statement on the Government's Position on the Presumptions under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move a Motion to suspend Standing Order No 50(2) for the purposes of Ministerial Statement.

This is to allow me to set out the Government's position on the presumptions under MDA 1973 and while there is a pending case on the MDA presumptions before the Courts, my Ministerial Statement will only set out the Government's position generally and will not discuss the specifics of the case.

I give my consent. Does the Minister have the general assent of hon Members present to so move?

Hon Members indicated assent.

Minister, please proceed.

Thank you, Sir.

I move, "That the proceedings on the Ministerial Statement on the Government's Position on the Presumptions under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), including any subsequent clarifications be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 50(2) to allow me to set out the Government's position on the MDA's presumptions in Parliament."

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved, that the proceedings on the Ministerial Statement on the Government's Position on the Presumptions under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), including any subsequent clarifications be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 50(2) to allow the Minister for Home Affairs to set out the Government's position on the MDA's presumptions in Parliament.