Select Committee Business

From 26 October to 2 November 2001

Committee meetings

There were 19 committee meetings, two of which were outside Wellington. In addition, one committee went on a site visit to Auckland. Remaining meetings were in the parliamentary complex.

Reports presented

Education and Science

- Inquiry into student fees, loans, allowances and the overall resourcing of tertiary education (I. 2C)

Regulations Review

- Complaints relating to the Sharemilking Agreements Order 2001 (I. 16G)

Finance and Expenditure

- Petition 1999/154 of Hon Nick Smith and 1438 others

- Trustee Companies Amendment Bill (131-2)

Justice and Electoral

- Human Rights Amendment Bill (152-2)

Bills referred to select committees

No bills were referred.

Committee notes

(for further information on an item, please contact the committee staff noted in brackets)

Commerce (Alan Witcombe, SC-Commerce@parliament.govt.nz)

On 1 November the committee completed hearing submissions on the Trade Marks Bill. The intent of the bill is to ensure that New Zealand’s trade mark law better meets the needs of the business community and addresses Maori concerns regarding the registration of Maori words and symbols as trade marks. Along with other submissions, evidence was heard from representatives of Ngati Kuri, Te Rarawa, Ngati Wai, Ngati Porou, Ngati Koata and Ngati Kahungunu.

Education and Science (Louise Gardiner, SC-ES@parliament.govt.nz)

In its meeting on Thursday, 1 November, the committee considered the upcoming financial reviews of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and the National Library of New Zealand. The committee also considered two petitions: first, of Hon Tony Ryall, requesting the establishment of a high school in Papamoa; and second, of Dr Mark Brandon Bland, concerning the National Library.

At its next meeting on Thursday, 8 November, the committee will consider the inquiry into decile funding. The committee will also consider the upcoming financial reviews of the Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office.

Finance and Expenditure (Julian Kersey, SC-FE@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee met on Wednesday, 31 October to hear evidence on the financial review of Television New Zealand. It also considered the Trustee Companies Amendment Bill.

The committee will meet again on Wednesday, 7 November, in room G.006, Parliament House. It will hear evidence on the financial review of New Zealand Post. This will be open to the public from 10.30 am to 12.00 noon. The committee will also consider the Construction Contracts Bill.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (David Sanders, SC-FD@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee met extended hours this week to give further consideration to the Terrorism (Bombings and Financing) Bill. The committee will resume work on this bill next week. It will also begin its financial reviews of departments, starting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Government Administration (Lesley Ferguson, SC-GA@parliament.govt.nz)

Next week the committee is to hear evidence from the chief executives of the Parliamentary Service and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs on the financial and operational performance of their organisations for the 2000/01 financial year and current operations.

Today, 2 November, is the closing date for public submissions on the Citizenship Amendment Bill (No 3). This bill, if enacted, would rectify problems with the provisions of the Citizenship Act 1977 concerning citizenship by descent. The bill also seeks to address discrepancies in the main Act that have the effect of restricting the acquisition of New Zealand citizenship in cases involving the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. Twenty copies of your submission need to be sent to Lesley Ferguson, Clerk of the Committee, Government Administration Committee, Select Committee Office, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Health (Matthew Andrews, SC-Health@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee met in Whangarei and Paihia to hear submissions on the inquiry into the adverse effects on women as a result of treatment by Dr Graham Parry.

Justice and Electoral (Wendy Proffitt, SC-JE@parliament.govt.nz)

This week the committee presented its report on the Human Rights Amendment Bill.

The committee recommended amending the bill to:

- give the Chief Commissioner clear ability to lead the Human Rights Commission, while protecting the role of the Race Relations Commissioner

- add to the functions of the new Human Rights Commission to promote by research, education and discussion better understanding of the human rights dimensions of the Treaty of Waitangi

- increase the ability of the Human Rights Commission to compel people to attend inquiries and provide information.

It also recommended:

- the creation of an Employment Equity Commissioner, to progress work on EEO

- more funding for the Human Rights Commission

- government reports on declarations of inconsistency be referred to select committees

- increased co-operation between government-funded human rights agencies

- the establishment of a Community Advisory Group for the Commission

- a review of the effectiveness of the new law within three years.

Printed copies of the reported bill and commentary will be available from Bennetts Government Bookshops from the beginning of next week. It will also be available on the website www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz.

Next week the committee will begin hearing submissions on the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill. It will also receive a briefing in public from the Associate Minister of Justice on what the Government intends by way of implementing the recommendations of Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s evaluation of the Law Commission. In addition, the committee will consider the Prostitution Reform Bill, the 2000/01 financial review of the Ministry of Justice, the review of services provided to select committees, and its proposed inquiry into the 2001 local elections.

Please contact the Clerk of the Committee for further information about the committee’s meetings for the next month.

Law and Order (Tracey Rayner, SC-LO@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee met this week to consider the review of services provided to select committees and the Crown Organisations (Criminal Liability) Bill.

The committee next meets on Thursday, 8 November, from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm, to consider the 2000/01 financial reviews of the Department for Courts and the New Zealand Police. The meeting will be open to the public, from 9.45 am to 11.00 am during a hearing of evidence from the Department for Courts, and again from 11.45 am to 1.00 pm during a hearing of evidence from the New Zealand Police.

Local Government and Environment (David Bagnall, SC-LGE@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee considered the Local Government (Rating) Bill, and will continue to do so next Wednesday. That afternoon a subcommittee will consider the inquiry into the role of local government in meeting New Zealand’s climate change target.

Primary Production (Bob Bunch, SC-PP@parliament.govt.nz)

At its meeting on 1 November, the committee continued consideration of the Biosecurity Amendment Bill, followed by initial consideration of 2000/01 financial reviews of Land Information New Zealand, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Fisheries.

Next Thursday, 8 November, the committee will continue its examination of the 2000/01 financial review of Land Information New Zealand including the hearing of evidence from the department from 10.15 am to 11.15 am. This will be followed by further consideration of the Biosecurity Amendment Bill and the inquiry into sustainable forestry management.

Transport and Industrial Relations (Lyn Main, SC-TI@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee will hear evidence on the 2000/01 financial review of the Ministry of Transport at its meeting on Wednesday, 7 November, from approximately 10.50 am to 1.00 pm.

Closing dates for submissions

Committees are receiving submissions on the following items with the closing date shown:

Commerce

Consumer Protection (Definitions of Goods and Services) Bill (15 January 2002)

TOWER Trust Limited Bill (15 January 2002)

Education and Science

Inquiry into teacher education (14 December 2001)

Government Administration

Citizenship Amendment Bill No 3 (2 November 2001)

Health

Smoke-free Environments (Enhanced Protection) Amendment Bill and Supplementary Order Paper No 148 (23 November 2001)

Maori Affairs

Inquiry into the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission (Te Ohu Kai Moana) (15 February 2002)

Te Uri o Hau Claims Settlement Bill (9 November 2001)

Regulations Review

The Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill (No 2) (9 November 2001)

Social Services

Commissioner for Children Bill (19 November 2001)

Social Workers Registration (19 November 2001)

General

You can find further information about select committees on our website at www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz. If you require additional information or have any feedback on the contents, please contact:

Carol Rankin

Senior Parliamentary Officer
carol.rankin@parliament.govt.nz

Compiled in the Select Committee Office, Office of the Clerk, 2 November 2001

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