4 October 2010 Media Statement

Supervision of National’s laws inadequate

Treasury’s finding that almost 50 percent of regulatory analysis conducted since National came to office does not meet requirements, or only partially does so, casts a dark shadow over the Government’s law-making, says Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.

“Labour transferred responsibility for assessing regulatory analysis from the Ministry of Economic Development to Treasury in 2008 to ensure rigorous work was done,” David Cunliffe said.

“Treasury is clearly doing its bit, but the Government has been passing legislation under urgency for almost two years without departments or ministers insisting on high-quality analysis of the impact of policy change.

“Treasury rates only 31 out of 57 assessments as adequate (highest rating up till November 2009) or meeting all requirements (top rating since then). The other 26 only partially met requirements or didn’t meet them,” David Cunliffe said.

“The issue is more serious because National has regularly pushed important legislation through under urgency or without adequate select committee oversight.

“Treasury rates the regulatory impact statements for National’s climate change and ACC amendment legislation as inadequate, for example,” David Cunliffe said.

“Both these bills are crucial in terms of the well-being and future of New Zealand and New Zealanders, yet they were passed under urgency without proper regulatory oversight.

“ACT leader Rodney Hide promised that any government he was part of would require greater accountability from government agencies for the quality of the regulatory analysis they undertake.

“Like almost everything else Rodney Hide turns to, the results don’t match the rhetoric.”

ENDS

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