Ombudsmen Bill Fails

A bill that would have allowed the Ombudsmen to charge agencies that take up their time in investigations fell at the first hurdle tonight

Shane Jones said the Ombudsmen (Cost Recovery) Amendment Bill was a response to the Government starving the Ombudsmen’s office of funds and it struggling to cope with its workload.

The bill would allow the Ombudsmen to set guidelines for recovering the cost of their investigations from the agencies being investigated.

Jones said the move would incentivise those agencies who delayed information requests and also provide a source of funding for the office.

Chris Auchinvole for National said giving the ability for the ombudsmen to charge would not satisfy the needs of that office or the public.

The bill was defeated by 61 to 59 with National, ACT and United Future opposing.

Earlier the Minimum Wage Amendment Bill was shot down at first reading.

The bill would have raised the minimum wage to $15 but was defeated by 61 to 59 with National, ACT and United Future

**
ParliamentToday.co.nz is a breaking news source for New Zealand parliamentary business featuring broadcast daily news reports.

© Scoop Media