National MPs Bills Advance

Two National MPs had their members’ bills advance on Wednesday evening

The Land Transport (Admissibility of Evidential Breath Tests) Amendment Bill in the name of Scott Simpson was supported by most of Parliament

Phil Twyford said Labour supported the bill to select committee but it had serious concerns.

Amongst those were that the bill as currently drafted breached the Bill of Rights Act.

He said the bill seeks to close a loophole that some people get off drunk driving charges when they don’t get a blood test after asking for one within a certain time frame.

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The bill was sent to select committee by 105 to 15 with Greens and Mana opposing.

The Conservation (Natural Heritage Protection) Bill also passed its first reading on voice vote.

The bill’s sponsor Jacqui Dean said the bill was intended to clamp down on poachers seeking to smuggle rare wildlife out of New Zealand.

Dean said the punishments handed down to wildlife smugglers were too light and the bill would increase them up to a maximum of three years and a $200,000 fine.

MPs began debate on the first reading of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 (Application to Casinos) Amendment Bill.

Earlier the Waitaki District Council Reserves and Other Land Empowering Bill completed its second reading with the Greens, NZ First and Mana opposing.

The bill clarifies the legal status of some land owned by the Waitaki District Council.

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