Hon Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House suspends Rule 253(1), which provides inter alia that the debate on the Second Reading of a Bill may not commence before at least three working days have elapsed since the committee's report was tabled, for the purposes of conducting the Second Reading debate today on the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill [B 15B - 2013] (National Assembly - sec 76).
Are there any objections?
Hon Speaker, yes. May I address you on my objection?
Yes, proceed, sir.
Hon Speaker, it has been convention and practice throughout the years in this Parliament that the suspension of Rules of this House is not done lightly.
In the past it has always been a practice that the parties in this House reach consensus by means of a discussion by the Chief Whips. In this particular case no consensus was reached to wave the three days Rule. I raised the matter in the Chief Whips' Forum where I said that what was printed on the Order Paper was a surprise, but my objection was rejected. I now call on you not to allow this motion to proceed.
Hon member, if you have seen the Order Paper the motion is there, and this means that it is allowed, so I will put it.
Hon Speaker, I take it you will note our severe objection to this, please?
Indeed, I will, sir.
Hon Speaker, note the ID's objection as well.
Let me finish. I'm going to object on your behalf. The objections of the DA and the ID have been noted and we have noted the concerns. There are no objections, and therefore the motion is agreed to.
Agreed to (Democratic Alliance and Independent Democrats dissenting).