Select Committee Business From 22 October to 29 October 2004

Committee meetings Three committee meetings were held this week, all in the parliamentary complex.

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

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade International Treaty Examination of the Amendment of the Agreement Establishing the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (1990) International Treaty Examination of the Treaty between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Australia establishing certain Exclusive Economic Zone boundaries and continental shelf boundaries

Health 2003/04 financial review of the Lakes District Health Board

Law and Order Crimes (Drug Rape) Amendment Bill (67-1) Crimes Amendment Bill (No 2) (104-2)

Social Services New Zealand Superannuation Amendment Bill (119-2)

Transport and Industrial Relations Transport Legislation Bill (172-2)

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

Commerce (Michelle Malyon, SC-Commerce@parliament.govt.nz) The committee next meets on 4 November to consider and hear evidence on the 2003/04 financial review of the Government Superannuation Fund Authority. The hearing will be open to the public. The committee will also further its consideration on an alleged breach of the Commerce Act in the auto glazing industry, and its inquiry into the New Zealand Electricity Industry.

Education and Science (Kirstin Lambert, SC-ES@parliament.govt.nz) The committee did not meet this week. The committee next meets on 3 November when it will hear evidence on the 2003/04 financial review of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. This will be open to the public from 10.30 am to 11.30 am. The committee will also consider financial reviews of other departments and entities, inquiries and a petition. The committee is calling for submissions on the Education (Establishment of Universities) Amendment Bill, with a closing date for submissions of 19 November 2004. Copies of the bill can be purchased from Bennetts Government Bookshops.

Finance and Expenditure (Lesley Ferguson, SC-FE@parliament.govt.nz) The committee did not meet this week, as the House is in adjournment. Next week, the committee will meet to hear evidence on the 2003/04 financial reviews of the Department of Labour and the Inland Revenue Department, and further consider the costing of party tax policies. The hearing of evidence for the Department of Labour is scheduled for 9.15 am to 11.15 am. The hearing for the Inland Revenue Department will follow, starting at 11.30 am, and is expected to end at 12.30 pm. The committee will be open to the public during these times.

Government Administration (Lesley Ferguson, SC-GA@parliament.govt.nz) The committee did not meet this week. It next meets on 4 November to hear evidence on the 2003/04 financial review and current operations of the Department of Internal Affairs. The committee will also consider the Historic Places Amendment Bill, the Public Records Bill, and the Identity (Citizenship and Travel Documents) Bill.

Health (Catherine Parkin, SC-Health@parliament.govt.nz) This week the committee completed hearing evidence on the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill (No 3). On 3 November, the committee will hear evidence from the Ministry of Health on its financial review for 2003/04. This will be from 10.45 am to 12.40 pm. The hearing of evidence will be open to the public in room G.003, Parliament House. The committee will also consider other items of business.

Justice and Electoral (Angela Van Dam, SC-JE@parliament.govt.nz) The committee met on 26 October and 27 October to consider the Civil Union Bill, and the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill. Next week the committee will meet on 3 November to continue its consideration of the Inquiry into the 2004 Local Authority Elections and the Civil Union Bill, and the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill. The committee will also hear evidence on the 2003/04 financial review of the Parliamentary Counsel Office. This will be open to the public between 12.00 noon and 1.00 pm.

Law and Order (Tracey Rayner, SC-LO@parliament.govt.nz) The committee did not meet this week. It is scheduled to next meet on 3 November to consider and hear evidence on the 2003/04 financial review of the Serious Fraud Office. The chief executive, David Bradshaw, will give evidence at the hearing, which will be open to the public from 9.40 am to 10.10 am.

Local Government and Environment (Beth Watson, SC-LE@parliament.govt.nz) The committee next meets on 4 November to conduct financial reviews of the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for the Environment. The hearings of evidence will be open to the public (Ministry for the Environment 10.05 am to 11.05 am; Department of Conservation 11.15 am to 12.15 pm). Prior to the financial reviews, the committee will also meet a delegation from the Italian Parliament to discuss the legislative framework for the devolution of responsibilities from central to local government, the practical functioning of the system, and the integration between local and central government. On 19 October, the committee presented its report on its Inquiry in to the alleged accidental release of genetically engineered sweet corn plants in 2000 and the subsequent actions taken.
Copies of the report can be purchased from Bennetts Government Bookshops, or viewed at http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/Publications/CommitteeReport.aspx?Year=&Cat=13&CatName=Inquiries&Order=

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

Commerce New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Amendment Bill (6 December 2004)

Education and Science Education (Establishment of Universities) Amendment Bill (19 November 2004)

Government Administration Historic Places Amendment Bill (29 October 2004) Public Records Bill (5 November 2004) Animal Welfare (Restriction on Docking of Dogs’ Tails) Bill (closing date not yet determined)

Regulations Review Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill (No 3) (12 November 2004)

Social Services Social Security (Social Assistance) Amendment Bill (31 January 2005)

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: Louise Sparrer
Senior Parliamentary Officer ph: 471 9569, fax: 499 0486, or at louise.sparrer@parliament.govt.nz Compiled in the Select Committee Office, Office of the Clerk, 29 October 2004

ENDS

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