Select Committee Business

From 3 October to 10 October 2003

Committee meetings

There were 18 committee meetings, all in the parliamentary complex.

Reports presented

(available at http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/Publications/CommitteeReport)

Health

- Petition 2002/48 of Mark Peck and three petitions of a similar nature (2002/49, 2002/54 and 2002/56)

Justice and Electoral

- Inquiry into the 2001 local authority elections

Items referred to select committees

The draft agreement on policing functions within the parliamentary precincts was referred to the Privileges Committee.

Changes in committee membership

The following change in select committee membership took effect from 8 October 2003.

Education and Science

Lynne Pillay replaced Helen Duncan.

Health

H V Ross Robertson replaced Moana Mackey.

Justice and Electoral

Moana Mackey replaced Lynne Pillay.

Social Services

Hon Rick Barker replaced Hon Mark Gosche.

Transport and Industrial Relations

Hon Mark Gosche replaced Helen Duncan.

On Thursday, 9 October Hon Mark Gosche was elected Chairperson of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.

Committee notes

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

Commerce (Michelle Malyon, SC-Commerce@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee met on Thursday, 9 October to continue its consideration of the inquiry into the New Zealand electricity industry and the Business Law Reform Bill.

The committee will next meet on Thursday, 16 October to hear evidence on the inquiry into the New Zealand electricity industry from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 3.15 pm to 6.00 pm. These hearings will be open to the public.

Finance and Expenditure (Peter Hurndell, SC-FE@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee meet on Wednesday, 8 October to consider the Taxation (Annual Rates, GST, Trans-Tasman Imputations and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

It is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, 15 October to consider the Income Tax Bill and continue with its consideration of the Taxation (Annual Rates, GST, Trans-Tasman Imputations and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

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

The committee received a briefing this week from the Minister of Foreign of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Trade Negotiations on New Zealand's relationship with the United States. The committee also gave further consideration to the Crimes and Misconduct (Overseas Operations) Bill and the Volunteers Employment Protection Amendment Bill.

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

The committee met on Thursday, 9 October to consider the Building Bill and the petition to repeal the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982. Next week the committee meets on Thursday, 16 October to hear evidence on the 2002/03 financial review of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from chief executive Mark Prebble. The committee will also consider the Border Security Bill and the Maritime Security Bill.

Health (Catherine Parkin, SC-Health@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee met on Wednesday, 8 October when it considered its inquiry into the proposal for a trans-Tasman agency to regulate therapeutic products, and several petitions. Next week the committee will receive a briefing on the report of the Controller and Auditor-General on management of hospital-acquired infection. This will be open to the public from 9.30 am to 10.00 am in Room G.003, Parliament House.

Justice and Electoral (Louise Sparrer, SC-JE@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee met on Wednesday, 8 October to hear evidence on the Care of Children Bill. Associate Professor WR Atkin supported the bill, and proposed it fully incorporate the Hague Child Protection Convention. Professor Tony Angelo, who was also generally supportive, submitted that the bill should make the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child part of New Zealand law. The submission from Child Advocacy Services opposed the bill, contending that it does nothing to address problems around guardianship and instead leaves them for the courts to decide. The Salvation Army supported the bill while making a number of recommendations, many of which were to do with the provision of clear, well-supported safeguards for children at risk.

The committee meets next week to continue hearing evidence on the Care of Children Bill. This will be open to the public from 9.40 am to 11.30 am. The committee will also hear evidence from a number of submitters on the Lawyers and Conveyancers Bill from 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm. The committee is calling for submissions on the Judicial Matters Bill.

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

The committee continued consideration of the Telecommunication (Interception Capability) Bill and the Corrections Bill this week. The committee will continue consideration of the Corrections Bill at its next meeting on Wednesday, 15 October.

The committee also released this statement after its meeting on Wednesday, 8 October: "Mr Martin Gallagher, Chairperson of Parliament's Law and Order Committee, announced today that a motion was moved to investigate matters surrounding the Department of Corrections former "Emergency Response Unit'. The motion was not passed; therefore, the committee will not be conducting an inquiry."

Local Government and Environment (Marie Alexander, SC-LGE@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee met on Thursday, 9 October to further consider the Local Government Law Reform Bill (No 2) relating to dog control measures. The committee is required to report on the bill by 13 October. The committee will next meet on Thursday, 16 October to further consider its inquiry into the alleged accidental release of genetically engineered sweet corn plants in 2000 and subsequent actions taken. The meeting will not be open to the public.

Maori Affairs (Miles Reay, SC-MA@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee did not meet this week. On Thursday, 16 October the committee will further consider the Ngati Tama Claims Settlement Bill.

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

The committee met twice this week (6 October and 9 October) to give further consideration to its inquiry into the administration and management of the scampi fishery.

It will meet again on Thursday, 16 October to hear evidence on and give further consideration to the inquiry.

Regulations Review (Michael Wilkinson, SC-RR@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee will next meet on Wednesday, 15 October to continue its regular scrutiny of new Government regulations.

Social Services (Graham Hill, SC-SS@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee will meet on Thursday, 16 October to continue its consideration of the Families Commission Bill. The bill has a report due date of 12 November 2003.

Transport and Industrial Relations (Kath Henderson, SC-TI@parliament.govt.nz)

The committee considered the Land Transport Management Bill on Tuesday, 7 October. It is due to be reported by Monday, 13 October 2003.

Further consideration of the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill took place at the meeting of Thursday, 9 October. Consideration will continue at the meeting on Thursday, 16 October. This bill has a report due date of Thursday 13 November 2003.

On 9 October the committee considered the Holidays Bill and Holidays (Four Weeks Annual Leave) Amendment Bill. This bill has a report due date of 1 December 2003.

Closing dates for submissions

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

Education and Science

- Education (Disestablishment of Early Childhood Development Board) Amendment Bill (31 October 2003)

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

- Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Amendment Bill (31 October 2003)

Government Administration

- Building Bill (31 October 2003)

- Maritime Security Bill (17 October 2003)

Justice and Electoral

- Judicial Matters Bill (21 November 2003)

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, 10 October 2003

© Scoop Media