The Week In Parliament for 14 August 2016

Committee Stage of the Government's budget passes on Tuesday, with its third and final reading kicked off by Finance Minister Bill English on Thursday; Members' Day sees David Parker's Minimum Wage (Contractor Remuneration) Amendment Bill pass its second reading by 61 votes to 60 - the same margin that sees Mark Mitchell's Social Security (Stopping Benefit Payments for Offenders who Repeatedly Fail to Comply with Community Sentences) Amendment Bill pass its first reading; Andrew Little's Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill is the subject of questions in the chamber and submissions in the committee rooms; Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler fronts up to the Finance and Expenditure Committee to explain his decision to cut the Official Cash Rate to 2.0% - a move that elicits questions about interests rates, housing and immigration for the Finance Minister; A tax bill addressing tax havens passes its first reading; Law and Order Committee begins inquiry into illegal firearms; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee hears submissions on the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement Bill; Health Committee announces it has received more than 21,000 submissions on a petition on euthanasia - with 1800 of those due to be heard in person; Conservation Minister Maggie Barry forced to withdraw and apologise for comments about a New Zealand First MP.