ACT leader David Seymour has failed to force the Government's gun law reforms into urgency after his tardy arrival to Parliament.
While Seymour spoke to media on Tuesday, the Government sought a motion that would allow the House to sit for whatever time was required to pass new gun legislation quickly.
Seymour earlier told Newshub that he intended to vote against the Government requesting extended sitting hours, which would force it into passing the legislation through urgency.
But when the time came to vote on the issue in the House, Seymour was not present, and the House Speaker Trevor Mallard allowed the process to be followed.
Seymour was too busy speaking to media outside Parliament, who had crowded around him to ask him about his intention to block the Government's motion.
But the motion, brought by House leader Chris Hipkins, went ahead because the Government needed support from all parties in the House - and with ACT not present, there was no present objection to it.
"Is there any objection to that process being followed? There appears to be none," Mallard said.
Seymour said earlier he believed the Government had acted too hastily on the proposed gun reforms, when it has "already effectively put a moratorium on semi-automatic weapons for the next year through its regulations".
The Arms Amendment Bill, introduced by Police Minister Stuart Nash on Monday, will have its first reading on Tuesday, and be referred to a Select Committee for swift public submissions.
It is intended to come into force next Friday.
Newshub.
