Online Identity Bill Sent To Select Committee

The Electronic Identity Verification Bill passed its first reading on a voice vote and was sent to the Government Administration Committee for consideration and to be reported back by June 29.

The aim of the bill is to make it easier for people to prove their identity in on-line transactions with agencies in a ``one shop stop’ approach.

The bill was the first new Internal Affairs Minister Amy Adams brought to the House and was generally supported in principle by all parties.

A number of MPs said it would make life easier for those who wanted to conduct their business over the internet, but said privacy issues would have to be carefully considered by the select committee.

The House rose at 10pm interrupting the second reading debate of the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill.

Justice Minister Judith Collins said the bill would ensure that judges would make it an aggravating factor for an assault charge if it was committed on a police officer or prison guard.

Labour MP Charles Chauvel said Labour would not oppose the bill as it was a measure that could do little harm, but the question was whether it would do any good.

There were already existing offences covering attacks on officers on duty and there was no evidence this bill would make any difference except to allow MPs to ``chest beat’’ over the issue.

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